How Your Mind and Body Shape Hospital Visits and Bills

People's feelings and movements can give clues about their future hospital stays and costs. This is where Patient-Reported Outcome Measures, or PROMs, come in. They are tools that gather information directly from patients about their health. These tools can identify individuals who frequently use healthcare services. This helps doctors provide timely and appropriate care. In 2012, a health group in Utah began tracking all costs related to hospital and clinic visits. They wanted to see if there was a connection between how people feel and move and their hospital stays and costs. The following year, they introduced PROMIS tools. These tools assess both mental and physical health through a system called mEVAL. The study focused on two main areas: physical function and depression. The goal was to determine if these factors could predict hospital stays and costs. Think of it like predicting the weather. You look at certain signs to make an educated guess. In this case, the signs are how well someone can move around and their mental state. Why does this matter? If doctors can identify these signs early, they might be able to intervene before a hospital visit is needed. This could lead to significant cost savings and improved patient well-being. It's a win-win situation. But it's not just about the money. It's also about ensuring that patients receive the care they need when they need it. This is the essence of value-driven outcomes. However, this is just one study. It's a starting point, but there's still much to learn. For example, how do factors like age or other health problems fit into the picture? And do these findings apply to everyone? These are important questions that need answers. But it's a step in the right direction. It highlights that sometimes, the solutions we seek are right in front of us. We just need to know where to look. For instance, physical therapy and mental health support could be key players in reducing hospital stays and costs.