With a career spanning 15 years in the health sector as a senior executive, Hisham El-Ansary is no stranger to the inner workings of the healthcare industry and what it takes for the system to deliver good care.

He initially started out as Chief Financial Officer of Bupa in 2008 as the company was embarking on a major acquisition of MBF and was eventually appointed CEO of Bupa Asia Pacific in 2019. In this role, he managed 22,000 employees, $10 billion in revenue, and serviced 6.5 million customers through digital means and at some 500 locations across three countries.

With a passion for people and bettering the lives of others, Hisham remains active in the health sector and is currently an advisor and executive coach at Osara Health.

In our latest advisor spotlight, we sat down with Hisham to discuss overcoming the hurdles facing healthcare, empowering patients, and the role of health in the workplace.

Providing good healthcare at a reasonable cost: The case for value-based care

One of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare sector over the past decade or two has been managing cost. Healthcare expenditure per capita has been rising much faster than the rate of inflation. So, the challenge for governments and the private sector is to figure out how we moderate the rate of growth without sacrificing the quality of care that’s delivered.

The value-based healthcare philosophy developed by Michael Porter has given us a framework for solving this issue and delivering value for patients. The central thesis is that by ensuring better coordination and integration for every user of the health system, you’re able to optimise the health outcomes for individuals at a reasonable cost to society.

Essentially, each individual is getting the right care, in the right facility, at the right time.

Using technology to empower patients in their care

What does value-based care look like in practice? In recent years, funders of healthcare have invested a lot in providing support mechanisms to help customers access various opportunities for care (from digital and telehealth to physical clinic settings).

Telehealth is a good example because it provides people with access to specialists no matter where they are — even in remote parts of Australia. People who would have had to drive three hours or 400 kilometres to access these kinds of services or care can be instantly seen by the right healthcare worker in an instant.

Getting a referral at the right point for cancer coaching services like Osara Health is also another example. If a patient can be linked up with an Osara coach during or after being diagnosed, you can work with the person and their traditional care providers to provide a holistic level of care right from the start.

These avenues of access to the right care at the right time are ultimately so effective because they empower individuals to play a more active role in their own care — whether it involves staying well, recovering from an illness, or managing a long-term chronic disease.

Thirty years ago, the doctor would say, “Do this,” and the patient would just do it. Now, we have better access to health information online enabling consumers to be more empowered. Remote monitoring technology allows to measure and monitor their diagnostic indicators remotely and in real – from blood pressure to pulse to ECG, these are all available on smartwatches and phones.

Having patients take control of their health translates into better health outcomes, both physically and mentally for them, while also reducing the rate of cost growth in delivering healthcare .

The value-based healthcare philosophy offers a promising framework for achieving this delicate equilibrium. In practice, this approach involves leveraging technology, such as telehealth and digital platforms like Osara Health, to empower patients and optimise care delivery.

Creating a workplace culture of wellbeing

Meeting the health needs of employees in the workplace is also a crucial part of providing value-based care that’s timely and appropriate.

Employees spend a significant part of their lives at work. So, creating a culture of support and wellbeing is essential for keeping employees happy and engaged, while also having a positive impact on their entire lives.

This is where coaching services like Osara Health are so useful because they provide employees with the support and tools needed to navigate the workplace while managing health issues.

In today’s competitive labour market, it’s so much more than just about remuneration. Leaders need to show empathy; that they care about the total health and wellbeing of their employees.

It’s not only a human thing to do, but it’s a positive value proposition that pays back in terms of employee loyalty and retention in the long run.

Reflections on joining Osara Health

Since joining, I’ve been really impressed by the mission and values of the team at Osara Health. I feel we are all committed to making a positive difference to those experiencing the cancer journey by empowering them with better information, which results in tangible actions that will ultimately lead to a better quality of life.