Indiana Quality Improvement Network

Practice Transformation Peer Learning Team

Summary Notes

Enhancing the Care Team

The IQIN Peer Learning Teams are professional development communities for IN health center staff. The Practice Transformation Peer Learning Team focuses on the planning, management and execution of quality improvement initiatives to improve patient health outcomes. This team will also discuss how Indiana health centers are improving their health center operational and financial QI, and addressing emerging implications of value-based care on health center QI.During this kick-off webinar, participants introduced themselves, reviewed the principles that make for great peer learning interactions, and learned how these peer learning discussions will enhance their work. The following questions guided the Peer Learning Team discussion:

  • What is the current composition of your health center’s care teams?
  • For those who have PCMH recognition, how are you using care teams to support PCMH?
  • Are there positions you would like to add or other changes that need to be made?
  • What strategies does your health center use to standardize clinical measures and practices across all of your care teams?
  • What health IT systems and reports are you using to support roles within your care teams?
  • How does your health center foster a sense of belonging and meaning among the care team members to increase satisfaction?
  • What challenges do you face in this area of your work?
  • If IQIN were to support training on care teams to support PCMH, what would you want to make sure that training included?
  • What technical assistance might be helpful to your health center?
  • If you wanted to take a deeper dive into care teams with your peers, what might be helpful and valuable?

As we jumped into peer learning, we discussed how, even in the midst of provider turnover, health centers strive to provide high-quality, comprehensive health care to their patients. Our conversation focused on the elements essential in creating and sustaining a high-performing care team.

Several participants noted the importance of trust when striving to enhance the care team. In Patrick Lencioni’s “Five Dysfunctions of a Team”, trust is the foundation for all other components of successful teams. Exercises such as team-building workshops and DISC assessments have a deep impact on the success of an organization.

Another participant emphasized the importance of a shared vision for achieving success. In order for a vision to motivate employees, the development of a vision should be shared among members of a team. A shared vision will cultivate employee engagement, which was another topic discussed during the session. One participant noted that it is often difficult to communicate to staff how important the quality measures and the need for additional strategies to enhance buy-in.

A large chunk of the discussion focused on care coordination and Patient-Centered Medical Home. One participant noted that PCMH, when fully embraced, aids in care coordination and creating care teams that understand the process of patient care and the responsibilities of the roles within those processes. Writing out role descriptions helps in the delineation of responsibilities and assurance that everyone along the continuum of care is operating at the top of their license.

Participants: Cindy Miller (Raphael); Ruth Stevens (HealthLinc); Joni Clark (Open Door); Nathan Dolan (Gary CHC); Tammi Howard (Valley Professionals); Beth Wrobel (HealthLinc); Misty Gatewood (Riggs); Janine Lowery (Riggs); Melissa Mitchell (HealthLinc); Martina McGowan (Heart City); Rachel Mullins (Northshore); Sherry Gray (Raphael); Angie Zaegel (Neighborhood); Nicole Hall (Valley Professionals) Stephanie Jeffrey (Valley Professionals) Janine Klingenberger (Neighborhood); Lora Rusel (Maple City)

Prepared by Integrated WorkMay 2017