Unification (yū'nə-fĭ-kā'shən) n. To bring or come together into a united whole To combine and adapt in order to attain a particular effect: While on my VistA kick (here and here), I need to respond to several important errors of understanding in the recent press release hailed...
Case Study (kās stŭd'ē) n. A detailed analysis of a person or group, especially as a model of medical, psychiatric, psychological, or social phenomena. An exemplary or cautionary model; an instructive example I have received a couple of off-line questions regarding the concept of micro-capitation, and...
Future (fyū'chər) n. The indefinite time yet to come Something that will happen in time to come A prospective or expected condition, especially one considered with regard to growth, advancement, or development I appreciate Fred’s comments regarding my recent posting. Fred appropriately challenged me for describing...
VistA (vĭs'tə) n. Abbreviation for "Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture" The integrated electronic health record that powers the largest health delivery organization in the United States (who still achieves the best clinical health outcomes of any care delivery organization in the US). The catalyst that...
Anachronism (ə-năk'rə-nĭz'əm) n. The representation of someone as existing or something as happening in other than chronological, proper, or historical order. One that is out of its proper or chronological order, especially a person or practice that belongs to an earlier time: I continue to read...
Desist (dĭ-sĭst') v. 1. To cease doing something; forbear. 2. To abandon, break off, discontinue, give up, leave off, quit, relinquish, remit, or stop. I have been following health care consumerism for several years now. Particularly, the "Direct Access" or "Direct To Consumer" laboratory testing market....
Want (wŏnt) v. 1. To desire greatly; wish for; have an inclination towards 2. To request the presence or assistance of 3. To seek with intent to capture An interesting study was released today in the McKinsey Quarterly under the moniker, "What Consumers Want in Health Care". The...
Grok (grŏk) To understand profoundly through intuition or empathy. To have a thorough understanding of a subject. To take something in so thoroughly that it becomes a part of you. I finally took the plunge. After dropping my laptop at the airport and having my screen die, I finally...
Mea Culpa (mā'ə kŭl'pə) n. 1. An acknowledgment of a personal error or fault 2. A statement of acknowledgment expressing regret or asking pardon I have long been a big fan of Ingenix and their mission of using information analytics to help create value. They are an...
Episode (ĕp'ĭ-sōd') n. 1. A portion of a narrative that relates an event or a series of connected events and forms a coherent story in itself. 2. One of a series of related events in the course of a continuous account; An incident that...