Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Healthcare Upside / Down: Redefining Patient Access and Physician Alignment
Dec 8, 2025
Dr. Joseph Cacchione, CEO of Jefferson Health and former interventional cardiologist, joins Alex Pinto, a Principal at ECG Management Consultants, to tackle the future of patient access in healthcare. They discuss Jefferson's expansive regional strategy with 750 sites and the need for embracing technology. The duo emphasizes balancing standardization with personalized care and the importance of physician buy-in for implementing change. They also explore future innovations, AI's role, and how shifting incentives can enhance patient encounters.
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Access Means Meeting Patients Where They Are
- Patient access is now multi-channel and must reach patients where they are, not just at a clinic or hospital.
- Jefferson views access as a way to keep people out of hospitals and improve outcomes through earlier engagement.
From Scheduling To A Proactive Access Platform
- Access must evolve from scheduling to a proactive platform that coordinates care across settings.
- An ambulatory command center and AI can dynamically align capacity to patient demand and system needs.
Standardize Templates Like Retail Inventory
- Standardize physician templates across visit types to create predictable, sellable appointment inventory.
- Treat templates like retail inventory so patients aren't left with 'closed' slots when they schedule.