Meet Harry Greenspun, healthcare IT expert and new Senior Advisor of Healthcare Transformation and Technology at Deloitte. In his interview with WashingtonExec, Greenspun discusses transitioning healthcare into the 21st century, the ongoing privacy vs innovation debate, as well as healthcare reform.
WashingtonExec: You recently moved to Deloitte. Please tell us more about your new gig.
Harry Greenspun: This is really a great opportunity, both professionally and personally. Deloitte’s work covers the entire spectrum of healthcare – provider, payer, life sciences, government – at the highest levels, so I have the chance to make a very big impact on the quality, safety, and affordability of care. In addition, my new role is based in DC near my home (unlike my prior Texas-based jobs).
WashingtonExec: What is the mission of Deloitte Center for Health Solution?
Harry Greenspun: The CHS is Deloitte’s health services research arm which informs stakeholders about emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities. A key differentiator is that it utilizes rigorous research, and therefore provides reliable, trusted, and timely insights.
WashingtonExec: There has been a lot of change in health care IT over the past few years. What areas do you find most of interest and why?
I see technology as a key enabler of the transformation of healthcare. However, that requires more than just simply implementing an application. To fully realize the potential benefits, organizations must successfully reengineer entire processes. That’s the really fascinating part because it represents dramatically new (and improved) ways of practicing medicine and delivering care. As a physician, seeing the results of those efforts is very gratifying.
WashingtonExec: You do a lot of speaking around the country. What topics do you speak about the most?
Harry Greenspun: With so many changes going on in healthcare, many audiences are looking for guidance on where the industry is going. As a result, I spend a lot of time talking about aspects of healthcare reform and ARRA incentives, as well as what healthcare will look like in the future and how organizations can meet those challenges. Another major focus is helping people understand that the transformations that are occurring in healthcare, particularly around IT, have already been faced by other industries (retail, financial services, travel), so we have some models for how we will look when we come out on the other side of this.
WashingtonExec: Where are some sectors you admire in the healthcare IT space?
Harry Greenspun: There are some very bright and talented people applying themselves in this space both in industry and government, and I applaud their work. Some of the biggest challenges, though, relate to very prickly issues around privacy and security and the ultimate benefits to patients and families.
Some have been able to delineate a vision with clear gains and appropriate guardrails in a very constructive manner rather. That takes guts.
WashingtonExec: Who are some of the thought leaders that you admire in the health care IT space?
Harry Greenspun: The best advice I ever received was to always ask how I could help. If you understand what another person is trying to accomplish and how you can add value, it makes for a much more productive and constructive relationship.