3 Things I Wish I Knew: Dr. Jennifer Brenczewski

Physical therapist says technology plays a critical role in value-based care, and that she felt a "strong sense of satisfaction"

Advice from the director of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) Model program within the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute (IBJI).

Be prepared to educate, educate, educate the patient and all the practitioners along the way to produce a more seamless experience and outcome! It can be difficult to keep everyone communicating and on the same page regarding patients’ needs and associated risk.

Use technology as much as possible. Gather data around patient profiles (comorbidities, social factors, etc.) and use that to help guide your conversations, transitions of care and educational pieces throughout the episode for the most appropriate care pathway.

You will feel a very strong sense of satisfaction throughout this process! When you become an integral piece to assessing patient risk, you have the tools to educate the patient and providers on appropriateness of care to improve expectations and in turn outcomes. Patients feel prepared, seen and heard, and have an overall better experience on their road to recovery.

More about Brenczewski’s experience:

1. What is your role in the CMS model?

   I served as the director of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) Model program within the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute (IBJI).

    

2. How long have you been participating in value-based care? What was your first experience?

   For 10 years. My first role was as a practicing physical therapist performing PT preop evaluations.

    

3. What was your initial interest or reason for practicing value-based care?

   My initial interest was to participate in a collaborative model to help educate patients and assess risk to produce optimal patient experiences and outcomes.