Patients are increasingly working in partnership with their health care providers, no longer simply the passive recipients of care. But it takes planning for this new model of provider-patient interaction to be effective.
At HealthPartners Medical Group (HPMG), a group practice based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a participant in Pursuing Perfection, the reactive, visit-by-visit form of care has been replaced by the HealthPartners (HP) Planned Care Model. In this model, prepared practice teams actively anticipate the needs of patients, and involve them in goal setting and care planning.
Prepared practice teams include physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and clerical staff such as receptionists. A diabetes nurse specialist, nutritionist, and/or pharmacist are added to teams as necessary. The HP Planned Care Model puts the patient at the center of the team, and supports them in becoming informed and activated patients.
HPMG identifies four phases of engagement with patients — pre-visit, visit, post-visit, and between-visit — each of which has its own set of tasks and expectations. The approach has improved patient and staff satisfaction, and, most important, care itself. More patients are receiving the complete set of appropriate screening tests for their age group, says Beth Waterman, RN, MBA, HealthPartners’ Vice President for Primary Care and Clinic Operations.
01/16/2006
