As anyone with chronic disease knows, access to health care doesn’t always equate with equitable health care outcomes, says guest Alyce Adams, an expert in innovations in health policy. Too often, care delivery breaks down along racial and socioeconomic lines. Our focus should be on better outcomes for all people, she says. Adams now develops interventions to help communities and health systems improve care delivery — and health equity — as she tells host Russ Altman in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces the episode and welcomes Professor Alyce Adams from Stanford University to discuss how new approaches in communities and health systems are improving care delivery for traditionally underserved populations.

(00:01:29) Unraveling Health Disparities

They discuss the disparities present in healthcare, particularly among underrepresented populations, and the importance of integrating patient voices in research.

(00:02:42) Addressing Socioeconomic Factors

The role of socioeconomic factors in health disparities and how they influence access to quality care. The discussion also examines efforts to eliminate barriers and provide equitable healthcare.

(00:04:15) Cultural Competence in Medicine

The conversation shifts to the significance of cultural competence in healthcare delivery. Prof. Adams explains the need for healthcare professionals to understand and respect diverse cultural backgrounds to ensure effective patient care.

(00:07:50) Bridging the Knowledge Gap

Insights into understanding patient knowledge and disease understanding, focusing on the example of tobacco use. The efforts to integrate patient and caregiver perspectives early in the research process are discussed.

(00:09:15) Empowering Patient Decision-Making 

The discussion explores strategies to empower patients in their healthcare decisions. Prof. Adams explains the importance of personalized care plans that align with patient values and priorities.

(00:11:30) Digital Health Literacy 

The increasing role of digital health tools and the importance of health literacy in utilizing these technologies effectively. The challenges of ensuring equitable access to digital health resources are also addressed.

(00:15:10) Qualitative Methods in Research

Insights into qualitative research methods and their significance in understanding patient experiences and priorities. The need for collaboration with community partners to shape research questions is emphasized.

(00:17:05) The Power of Patient Stories 

The conversation discusses the impact of patient narratives in healthcare research. Prof. Adams explains how patient stories provide valuable context and humanize data, leading to more comprehensive and patient-centric research outcomes.

(00:20:30) Building Patient-Centric Algorithms  

The development of AI algorithms to assess patient risk and facilitate decision-making for clinicians. Prof. Adams discusses the challenges of encoding priorities in these algorithms while considering potential biases.

(00:22:12) Algorithmic Transparency 

The discussion delves into the importance of algorithmic transparency and its role in building trust between patients and AI-driven healthcare systems. Prof. Adams explains the need for clear and interpretable AI models.

(00:27:45) Ethical Considerations in AI Implementation

The conversation explores ethical considerations in implementing AI technologies in healthcare. Prof. Adams discusses the potential risks and benefits and the importance of continuous evaluation and oversight.

(00:30:15) Engaging Policy Makers

The episode concludes with an optimistic view of policymakers' receptivity to research insights. Prof. Adams explains the importance of proactive engagement and communication in policy decisions.

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