Session 1: Discussant

Albert Tzeel says providers must consider how aspects of the changing healthcare landscape may affect their performance. Clinical decisions are being shaped by health information technology, like electronic health records (EHRs). As more doctors meet meaningful use criteria in EHRs, they are more likely to achieve better treatment outcomes.

Additionally, Dr Tzeel says "big data" will help to better analyze patient treatment outcomes beyond one data set. Traditional data sets limit outcome analysis to one group's perspective. With such a wide variation in a population's health, getting a broader view of care delivery will help facilitate more transparent patient-provider relationships, and deliver better treatment outcomes.