Impact of Patient-Centered Care Innovations on Access to Providers, Ambulatory Care Utilization, and Patient Clinical Indicators in the Veterans Health Administration Journal Article

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Authors: Burkhart, L; Sohn, M. W.; Jordan, N; Tarlov, E; Gampetro, P.; LaVela, S. L.
Article Title: Impact of Patient-Centered Care Innovations on Access to Providers, Ambulatory Care Utilization, and Patient Clinical Indicators in the Veterans Health Administration
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Veterans Health Administration piloted patient-centered care (PCC) innovations beginning in 2010 to improve patient and provider experience and environment in ambulatory care. We use secondary data to look at longitudinal trends, evaluate system redesign, and identify areas for further quality improvement. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study using existing secondary data from multiple US Department of Veteran Affairs sources to evaluate changes in veteran and facility outcomes associated with PCC innovations at 2 innovation and matched comparison sites between FY 2008-2010 (pre-PCC innovations) and FY 2011-2012 (post-PCC innovations). Outcomes included access to primary care providers (PCPs); primary, specialty, and emergency care use; and clinical indicators for chronic disease. RESULTS: Longitudinal trends revealed a different story at each site. One site demonstrated better PCP access, decrease in emergency and primary care use, increase in specialty care use, and improvement in diabetic glucose control. The other site demonstrated a decrease in PCP access and primary care use, no change in specialty care use, and an increase in diastolic blood pressure in relation to the comparison site. CONCLUSION: Secondary data analysis can reveal longitudinal trends associated with system changes, thereby informing program evaluation and identifying opportunities for quality improvement.
Journal Title: Quality management in health care
Volume: 25
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1550-5154; 1063-8628
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2016
Start Page: 102
End Page: 110
Language: eng
DOI/URL:

10.1097/QMH.0000000000000093
Notes: LR: 20170228; JID: 9306156; ppublish