‘Values to value’ for recovery and renewal: prudent healthcare the key to transforming the health and care system

Abstract

In times of crisis, we look to our core values. [1][2][3] The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of marrying our values with value to focus on what really matters. 4 A recent report by the King's Fund 5 also reflects this position.This central thread of a prudent approach is to manage resources in a way that helps us to achieve the best possible outcomes for all. We know that when core professional values are not adhered to, then poor quality of practice and care can result. Reimagining our health and care systemContinuing our traditional medical model ('more of the same') and the associated workforce model will not achieve the promise of prudent healthcare.

Robot doctors on the front line

“…A more prosaic response to these times of crisis might be a new term called “prudent healthcare.” Prudent healthcare is a reconnection with our core values, and achieves transformation through co-production between the public, patients, and professionals, providing care to those most in need, only doing what is needed, and reducing inappropriate variation 3 .…”