The document, Outcomes Guidelines Report Volume 4, incorporates and expands on the work of three previous volumes, the first of which DMAA published in 2006. The evolving Outcome Guidelines project has been widely praised for its transparent, consensus-based process and adherence to best industry practices.
For the first time, DMAA will make the report publicly available, at no cost, as a downloadable document on its Web site, www.dmaa.org.
"These guidelines represent the best thinking on consistent, scientifically sound measures of population health management program results," DMAA President and CEO Tracey Moorhead said. "From the start, our goal has been to fill a gap in the market for a consistent and reliable methodology and set of measures. We reaffirm our commitment to that goal by making the complete work freely available to all stakeholders in population health management."
The Volume 4 guidelines include recommendations and other key elements of the first three documents, as well as significant new material, including:
* A definition, framework, basic capabilities and core measures for population health management, expanding the document's scope beyond more narrowly focused programs.
* Additional recommended measures for medication adherence.
* Expanded recommendations for evaluating wellness programs.
* Special considerations for evaluating mature programs.
Donald Fetterolf, MD, of Fetterolf Healthcare Consulting and co-chair of the DMAA Outcomes Steering Committee with independent health care consultant Sue Jennings, PhD, called the new report an important tool in the fight against chronic disease. "As a reliable means to understanding the best approaches to chronic condition care, the guidelines are invaluable, especially in the context of system reforms to improve care quality and value," he said.
Jennings said Volume 4 reflects the project's philosophy of ensuring the guidelines meet the day-to-day needs of health plans, employers and other end users, while preserving an appropriate level of scientific rigor. "They want a practical way to measure results and a methodology they can trust," she said. "Our guidelines provide that."
DMAA released its first Outcomes Guidelines Report in December 2006, a second volume in September 2007 and a third volume in November 2008. Contributors to the development process include notable quality improvement organizations, such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance, URAC and The Joint Commission. Many industry experts, actuaries and leaders in government also provided comment, underscoring the project's inclusive approach.
