Defining Population Health Management: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Abstract

Population health management (PHM) has increasingly been mentioned as a concept to realize improvements in population health and quality of care while reducing cost growth (the so-called Triple Aim). The concept of PHM has been used in various settings and has been defined in different ways. This study compared the definitions of PHM used in the literature in order to improve the understanding and interpretation of the concept of PHM. A scoping literature search was performed for papers published between January 2000 and January 2015 that defined PHM. PHM definitions were summarized, focusing on: (1) overall aim, (2) PHM activities, and (3) contextual factors. Eighteen articles were retrieved. The overall aim was defined in terms of health (N = 14), costs (N = 8), and/or quality of care (N = 10). Definitions varied regarding the description of PHM activities, though all definitions contained elements in common with disease management and health promotion. Data management, Triple Aim assessment, risk stratification, evaluation, and feedback cycles were less likely to be mentioned. Contextual factors were scarcely brought forward in the definitions. Moderate variations were found across definitions in the way PHM was conceptualized. Frequently, essential elements of PHM were not specified. Differences in conceptualizations of PHM should be taken into account when comparing PHM initiatives that are working toward improvements in population health, (experienced) quality of care, and reduction of costs.

Preserving Care Delivery in Hard-to-Serve Regions: A Case Study of a Population Health System in the Swiss Lower Engadin

“…The term “population health system” is increasingly mentioned as a strategy for realising high quality, effective, and affordable health systems [145141516]. While several definitions exist [14], population health systems can be understood as systems addressing the health needs and well-being of a specified population by integrating services across healthcare, prevention, social care, and welfare [115].…”

“…While several definitions exist [14], population health systems can be understood as systems addressing the health needs and well-being of a specified population by integrating services across healthcare, prevention, social care, and welfare [115]. Spanning multiple sectors, they reach beyond the integration of healthcare to manage specific diseases, focusing on the broader determinants of health within a geographic area, including healthy behaviour, education, housing, or the environment [11415]. Considering the broader determinants of health, they require collaboration across multiple providers from several sectors, local authorities, patients, and the public [5].…”

“…Research also suggests that the formation of a population health system is influenced by contextual factors. Frequently mentioned challenges and facilitators are legislation, payment systems, data sharing, and provider readiness for change [11415]. The impact of a population health system should be assessed according to the triple aim of health outcome, quality including accessibility of care, and costs of care [15].…”

“…In this time, we collected longitudinal data including 35 semi-structured interviews, 96 participant observations, and 46 archival records. In our data analysis for this case study, we drew on recent conceptual research on population health systems [1415]. With this paper, we wish to contribute to debates on care delivery in hard-to-serve regions and population health systems more generally [1234567891415].…”

Interprofessional population health advocacy: Developing and implementing a panel management curriculum in five Veterans Administration primary care practices

“…There is significant variability and ongoing evolution in the definitions and conceptualization of population health, population health management and panel management (Kindig & Stoddart, 2003;Steenkamer, Drewes, Heijink, Baan, & Struijs, 2017;Swarthout & Bishop, 2017). Nested within the larger goal of improved population health, we define panel management as the tools and processes for identifying patients in a primary care practice with unmet preventive and chronic care needs and working systematically as a team to address these needs (Batalden et al, 1997;Chen & Bodenheimer, 2011;Godfrey, Nelson, Wasson, Mohr, & Batalden, 2003;Neuwirth, Schmittdiel, Tallman, & Bellows, 2007).…”