At Upcoming 2023 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting, AHRQ to Address Challenges Ranging from Patient Safety to Climate Change

Like many of you, I welcome meeting with friends and colleagues to discuss the latest advances in health services research (HSR). And with the 2023 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting (ARM) around the corner, I expect to be energized and inspired by the exciting work emerging in our field. 

The need to transform our healthcare delivery systems has never been more obvious as they recover from the stresses and strains of the pandemic that exposed their deficiencies for all to see and experience. That transformation can only be achieved with the scientific evidence and actionable knowledge health services researchers produce in response to committed healthcare executives and board members.

This year’s meeting, June 24-27 in Seattle, comes at a turning point for the Nation and healthcare systems as we rebuild after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. While we must still be vigilant about COVID-19 to avoid a resurgent virus, our primary focus should be on recommitting to the safety and quality of care we lost during the pandemic and transforming into high-performing equitable healthcare systems.

Addressing the healthcare system’s persistent flaws, especially the fragmentation in patient care and misaligned financial incentives, must be our highest priority to better meet the demands of a rapidly aging population. In the face of climate change and potential future biological threats from viruses and other organisms, we must also ensure that local healthcare systems are resilient and continue to provide high-quality healthcare no matter the emergency.

The ARM is a wonderful forum for health services researchers to meet and exchange ideas and chart a path forward for healthcare in the United States. I look forward to discussing and learning from all of you about your work advancing our shared goals of improving healthcare and the well-being of patients and healthcare professionals.

I am privileged to chair two sessions at this year’s ARM:

• June 25, 1:45-3:15 p.m.: Averting the Impending Storm: Health System Transformation and Aging Well. Panelists will provide an overview of approaches to improve care delivery for our aging population to optimize health, functional status, and well-being. We will discuss the role of primary care, healthcare systems, and partnerships with other sectors to achieve these goals.
• June 26, 1-2:30 p.m.: Rekindling the Patient Safety Fire: AHRQ’s Patient Safety Agenda. This session will provide information on how AHRQ is helping launch a public-private learning-to-action collaboration: The National Action Alliance to Advance Patient Safety. The National Action Alliance recommits the Nation to improving patient and healthcare workforce safety. We will also discuss AHRQ’s funding priorities for patient safety research.

There are many more AHRQ-related presentations at ARM this year.  Here are a few that you may wish to add to your itinerary:

• June 24, 12:30 pm, Research & Action on Climate Change and the US Healthcare System: New AHRQ Initiatives
• June 25, 8:30 am, In-Hospital Mortality Among Patients Without COVID-19 Who Were Hospitalized for Time-Sensitive Conditions During the Pandemic
• June 25, 1:45 pm Mitigating Racial and Ethnic Bias in Clinical Guideline Development
• June 26, 4:15 pm, Learn about HCUP and AHRQ QIs, and Celebrate HCUP Award Winners
• June 27 8:30 AM Responding to Pandemic-disrupted Care and Creating Resilient Health Systems

These sessions are a small sample of the wealth of information that will be presented at the 2023 ARM. Check out the full agenda to find sessions that align with your interests.  Also, to learn more about AHRQ and its activities, please visit our exhibit booths (#400 and #402).  My colleagues and I will spend time in the booth, so stop by and say hello.

We’ll be eager to discuss our ARM sessions and other Agency activities. One “hot topic” that may interest HSR researchers is the updated AHRQ Compendium of U.S. Health Systems, a unique data resource tracking trends among the Nation’s 635 healthcare systems. Another is a new  PCOR Strategic Framework for AHRQ’s dissemination & implementation and training investments funded under the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) Trust Fund.

I also need to note that the 2023 ARM will be bittersweet, because it will be the last under the leadership of our dear colleague, Dr. Lisa Simpson.  During her 13-year tenure, Lisa has elevated AcademyHealth to its current position as the premier HSR organization, and has focused its work on improving the quality, equity, and accessibility of healthcare in the United States and across the world.  A former deputy director of AHRQ, she has been a valued partner and voice for AHRQ and HSR.  We owe her much gratitude for her dedication to improving healthcare and health for all in our Nation.

So please join me in saying to Lisa:

Thank you for all you’ve accomplished! ¡Mil gracias! Merci beaucoup!

I look forward to seeing you in Seattle!

Dr. Valdez is Director of AHRQ.

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