A Look Back at the 2024 Patient Access Collaborative Symposium

With more than 300 patient access leaders in attendance representing 89 academic health systems from across the country, great networking and fantastic programming, the 2024 Patient Access Collaborative Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia was a wild success.

The conference provided a relaxed, discussion-based forum, allowing PAC members to connect, learn, and understand the initiatives of each institution.

Featuring more than 100 speakers, moderators, and discussion leaders, the knowledge gleaned at the 2024 PAC Symposium was vast.

Key themes:

• Digital Transformation: Digital tools are revolutionizing access, with health system leaders emphasizing the need for ongoing innovation to meet evolving patient needs and expectations. Workflows can be optimized by leveraging automation and integrating disparate systems, aiming to eliminate inefficiencies to ensure frictionless access for patients.

• Equity and Inclusion: Health system leaders acknowledge the imperative of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in access initiatives, recognizing that equitable access to healthcare services is fundamental to improving patient outcomes and experience; challenges and opportunities are being identified and explored.

• Value-Based: Transformative access initiatives can benefit the financial positions of health systems, with leaders showcasing real-world examples of reduced costs, increased value, and enhanced patient experience.

• Capacity Optimization and Demand Management: Leaders are exploring innovative approaches to quantifying supply and managing demand, including capacity tracking, centralized capacity management, space utilization tools, and advanced forecasting techniques, aimed at ensuring efficient utilization of resources and seamless access for patients.

• Data, Data, Data: Health system leaders are accountable for improving access despite impeding external and internal factors; data analytics are key to identify barriers and drive change.