The Value That Infectious Diseases Physicians Bring to the Healthcare System

Abstract

While a career in infectious diseases (ID) has always been challenging and exciting, recognition of the value that ID physicians provide to the healthcare system as a whole, over and above the value they provide to individual patients, has been poor in this system. In response to this disparity, the Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Affairs Committee has long endeavored to quantify the value of ID physicians to the system, which is challenging in part because of the many avenues through which they influence healthcare. We discuss data showing that ID physicians improve clinical outcomes, positively impact transitions of care, and direct system-level improvements through infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship. We identify areas where value-based care provides additional future opportunities for ID physicians. A Clinical Affairs Committee-sponsored study of ID physicians' positive impact on patient outcomes shows that few medical specialties are better positioned to positively impact the Triple Aim approach-better health, better care, and lower per capita cost-that is the principle tenet of healthcare system reform.

Telemedicine Infectious Diseases Consultations and Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review

“…Infectious diseases consultation can save lives, and with almost half of US hospitals without ID physician access [2], telemedicine has great potential to fill this gap. Before its wide adoption, it should be robustly evidence-based.…”

“…According to recent estimates, infectious diseases may be the third leading cause of death in the United States [1]. However, underserved and/or economically disadvantaged areas may not have access to infectious diseases (ID) physicians (up to 45% of US hospitals) to help treat these infections [2]. This is problematic because consultation with ID physicians significantly reduces mortality for numerous infections [3, 4].…”

Impact of Infection on Transplant Outcomes: Transplant Infectious Disease Expertise as an Essential Component of Transplant Programs

“…Medical center antimicrobial stewardship and infection control programs are of particular benefit to immunocompromised transplant candidates and recipients who often experience prolonged or recurrent hospitalization and are most vulnerable to infection. Numerous studies demonstrate the value of ID intervention in controlling antimicrobial resistance by lowering inappropriate antimicrobial use and implementing appropriate infection control interventions [18]. Active participation of transplant infectious disease specialists as leaders in infection prevention activities may improve transplant physician engagement and significantly benefit transplant outcomes [19].…”

“…Transplant ID specialists are frequently tasked to develop center specific protocols for infection screening and management focused on local exposure risk and practice. Protocol development and standardization of practice can lower patient morbidity and mortality, but infectious disease practice is constantly changing [18]. The ongoing emergence of new and increasingly resistant infectious pathogens such as Candida auris and the worldwide spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other treatment resistant viruses are good examples.…”

Telemedicine infectious diseases consultations and clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

“…According to recent estimates, infectious diseases may be the third leading cause of death in the USA [1]. Underserved or economically disadvantaged areas often do not have access to infectious diseases (ID) physicians (up to 45% of US hospitals) to help treat these infections [2]. Consultation with ID physicians has been shown to significantly reduce mortality for a range of infections [3, 4].…”