Patient Access: Why Waiting is Healthcare's Biggest Mistake

Hard Problems, Smart Solutions: The Newfire Podcast

In this episode of Hard Problems, Smart Solutions, Brendan Iglehart, Staff Healthcare Architect at Newfire Global Partners interviews Paul Wilder, the Executive Director of CommonWell Health Alliance.

They discuss the importance of not delaying integration in health IT and the incremental advancements in healthcare interoperability. Interoperability, Wilder explains, isn’t about one big breakthrough. It’s about a series of incremental steps that collectively create real progress. From startups building innovative patient tools to nationwide alliances shaping policy, the common thread is clear: the time to act is now.

Paul shares his journey from network support to health IT, emphasizing the significance of data exchange in improving patient care. They explore the role of CommonWell in promoting cross-vendor data availability and the challenges in ensuring patient access to their medical data. The conversation highlights recent governmental efforts, technological advancements in FHIR, and the application of AI in healthcare.

Don’t miss this episode. Tune in to hear Paul Wilder’s insights on the future of patient access and how organizations can navigate the complex, but rewarding, journey toward better data exchange.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts

00:28 Welcome to Hard Problems, Smart Solutions

01:36 Meet Paul Wilder: A Journey in Health IT

02:50 Understanding CommonWell Health Alliance

04:09 Challenges and Progress in Patient Data Access

06:39 Government Initiatives and Industry Movements

15:24 The Role of AI in Healthcare Data

18:32 Ensuring Patient Privacy and Data Security

21:13 The Future of FHIR and Interoperability

24:17 Advice for Healthtech Innovators

29:18 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts