Our patients and their families are an abundant source of wisdom as we navigate the stormy seas of healthcare delivery. To go it alone without their partnership is foolish and unwise.
Joseph Bianco, MD, FAAFP
Director of Primary Care, Essentia Health
Many primary and ambulatory practices are working to improve the patient experience, clinical outcomes, and provide a better work experience for clinicians and staff. Working in partnership with patients and family members has proven to accelerate positive changes in practices and has generated renewed energy and inspiration for those working as health care professionals.
For 25 years, IPFCC has been supporting partnerships for safety, quality, and experience by working with those who receive care and those who deliver care, including in primary and other ambulatory care settings.
IPFCC is working closely with the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) as part of the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPi), a national project funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. We are continuing to develop resources to help practices expand and strengthen their partnerships with patients and families. These resources include stories and profiles of practices, outlining how they have successfully worked with patients and families to improve care. Now more than ever, practices are encouraged to utilize these resources in preparation for the Quality Payment Program.
There are extensive nationwide, collaborative, and peer-based learning networks that facilitate large-scale practice transformation. Twenty-nine Practice Transformation Networks (PTNs) provide technical assistance and support. In addition, ten Support and Alignment Networks work with the PTNs to create a system for workforce development and additional assistance with practice transformation.
As a Support and Alignment Network (SAN), the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) provides support to patient and family partners, along with practices and PTNs across the U.S. to promote more meaningful patient and family partnerships in quality improvement and community collaboration with care teams.
UAMS - Building on a Strong Past to Influence the Future
Improving Self-Management for Patients with Diabetes
Centering on Both Healing and Wellness
Patient Engagement Drives Quality Care in Rural Alabama
Building on Hospital Experience to Support Advisors in Ambulatory Settings
VCU Health - Applying Inpatient Experience to Ambulatory Clinics
Maine Quality Counts: Helping Patients “Choose Wisely”
Southwest Pediatric PTN: Transforming Pediatric Care
UF Health - Neuromedicine Interdisciplinary Clinical and Academic Program (NICAP)
Brigham Health: Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Jamaica Hospital & Flushing Hospital Medical Centers
Pediatric Coordinated Care Clinic/MassGeneral Hospital for Children
IPFCC is also partnering with the American College of Physicians (ACP) and its SAN. In this project, we are working with the National Partnership for Women & Families to assist ACP in updating and revising ACP’s Practice Advisor Modules to ensure consistency with patient- and family-centered core concepts and patient and family engagement strategies. Among the Practice Advisor Modules that have been revised as part of the work with the SAN are: Access, Care Coordination, and Collaborative Medication Management. We will also be co-developing modules on Patient Experience and Engagement.
IPFCC will continue to add new profiles, resources, and tools to this section of our website. We invite you to contact us if your practice has strategies to share about working with patient and family partners in primary and other ambulatory care practices.
