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