University at Buffalo School of Management

Buffalo Business - Fall 2022

The magazine for alumni and friends of the UB School of Management

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22 Buffalo Business Autumn 2022 The 'haves and have-nots' of health information exchanges Researchers warn exchanges can create a digital divide in referral markets H e a l t h i n f o r m a - tion exchanges increase patient referrals among participating doctors, but that increase may be at the expense of physicians who aren't part of the exchange, according to a study co-authored by Ram Ramesh, professor of management science and systems. Published in Management Science, the research analyzes the impact of health infor- mation exchanges on patient referral patterns. Referrals are a significant part of the U.S. health care system, with more than a third of all patients referred to specialists each year. "Referrals have a significant impact on the cost and quality of health care services," says Ramesh. "In the context of referrals, health information exchanges tend to divide the physician community into 'technology-haves and have-nots,' where those who participate benefit from increased referrals among them- selves at the expense of those who haven't joined an exchange." Health information exchanges enable physicians to digitally access and share patients' medical data. These platforms have been integral to the U.S. health care system since the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act was passed in 2009. Based on their findings, the researchers say that joining an exchange results in a 44% to 46% increase in the rate of referrals to and from other members. "To ensure referral service quality, and consequently, be able to sustain and increase their business volume, providers should become more aware of the benefits of joining an exchange—and the possible loss of patients they face if they don't join," says Ramesh. Read more at bit.ly/ubmgthie. Ramesh Insights HOW MISINFORMATION TAKES ROOT IN GROUPS " Some of the justifications given to me by my friends [for Russia invading Ukraine] reminded me of Star Wars mythology, recalling Anakin Skywalker going to the Dark Side and justifying violence to 'maintain peace.' The pity is that we are not talking about a Hollywood movie but real lives and massive human suffering due to a fallacious tale." — Kate Bezrukova, associate professor of organization and human resources, in an article she wrote for Psychology Today. Prompted by conversations about the war in Ukraine with her contacts in Russia, Bezrukova examined how propaganda can shape perspectives within groups. Read more at bit.ly/UB-misinformation. Bezrukova

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