John Deane, the President of Consulting and Management at the Advisory Board Company, told a large audience of the importance of patient access and consumer experience in enabling healthcare providers to attract and retain customers.

John shared that one way of improving the way patients reach their providers is to form a clinically integrated network, where a group of providers come together and formalize a coordinated care structure focused on improving quality and controlling costs. Once formed, networks often then tie patients to a specific physician, but make the entire network available to care for the patient at extended hours of the day.

The scaled network also allows for the support of subspecialty physicians, improving the quality of care provided. As an added benefit, clinically integrated networks can negotiate with payers as a group. These networks are becoming increasingly important in the shift from volume to value and allow providers to enable consistent high access and an improved patient experience.

John leads the Consulting and Management Division of the Advisory Board Company that serves over 250 clients in 50 states through physician alignment, transition from volume to value, margin improvement, and strategic growth. Many of these client partners are also part of the 3,600 hospital and health care organizations who are members served by the larger Advisory Board firm.