Development and Implementation of a Team-Based, Primary Care Delivery Model: Challenges and Opportunities

Area of Science:

• Primary Care Innovation
• Healthcare Management
• Team-Based Care Models

Background:

• The evolution of primary care necessitates innovative models to meet growing demands.
• Mayo Clinic established a new primary care clinic designed for integrated, team-based care delivery.
• The transition occurred over the initial two years of operation (2016-2017).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of a novel team-based care model in a primary care setting.
• To assess the performance of this model against the quadruple aim framework.
• To provide insights into the practical application of integrated care teams.

Main Methods:

• Full colocation of clinical staff to promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Establishment of physician team managers to support a 1:2 physician to advanced practice practitioner ratio.
• Expansion of registered nurse roles and integration of clinical pharmacists, behavioral health specialists, and community specialists.
• Focus on accommodating and enhancing non-visit care services.

Main Results:

• The article details the implementation process and key performance metrics.
• Evaluation focused on improvements in population health, patient experience, cost reduction, and care team support.
• Specific outcomes related to the quadruple aim were tracked to assess model effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The implementation of a comprehensive team-based care model can facilitate enhanced primary care delivery.
• Integrated care teams and expanded roles are crucial for optimizing patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
• This model provides a framework for addressing the quadruple aim in contemporary primary care settings.