Workshop on High-Need Patients

A workshop, sponsored by the Peterson Center on Healthcare and convened by the Institute of Medicine, engaged in a discussion of the issues, challenges, and approaches that present the greatest opportunity creating models of care for high-need patients. The first of a series of three workshops, this workshop aimed to advance the understanding of effective approaches in managing the care of high-need patients, draw attention to opportunities to improve outcomes, and reduce the costs of health care for these vulnerable populations. The objectives of the July 7 workshop were:

1. What are the key characteristics of high-need patient populations, and which subgroups offer the greatest opportunity for impact?
2. What factors are most important in determining the match between a model of care and a patient population?
3. How can lessons learned from past experience with high-need patients be amplified and spread effectively?