DIFFERENT PATHS TO HIGH-QUALITY CARE

This case study identifies three approaches primary care practices take to achieve high-quality care. While the nine practices studied use many of the same improvement strategies, the way the improvements are organized define three distinct archetypes: the Technophiles, the Motivated Team and the Care Enterprise. The authors conclude that while there are many common strategies in achieving high-quality care, no single approach dictated superior performance. Different Paths to High-Quality Care: Three Archetypes of Top-Performing Practice Sites By Chris Feifer, Dr.P.H., et al

A GUIDE FOR CHANGE IN IMPROVEMENT OF CARE

This article presents a framework for physicians on the front lines of care who want to make transformations that will greatly improve care. Organizational leadership with an urgent vision for change is critical to successful quality improvement efforts in medical practices. The authors further cite specific leadership qualities, including the ability to manage and change process and selection of systematic changes capable of fulfilling the vision. Improving Medical Practice: A Conceptual Framework By Leif I. Solberg, M.D.

A NEW APPROACH TO CHRONIC CARE

This essay suggests an alternative way of thinking about the structure and delivery of chronic care. The author suggests that the central claim of chronic care can be summarized as what the patient, family members and health professionals do to achieve specific health outcomes within the evolving opportunities and constraints of chronic illness. Toward an Ecosystemic Approach to Chronic Care Design and Practice in Primary Care By Hassan Soubhi, M.D., Ph.D., et al

A SNAPSHOT OF DISEASE MANAGEMENT

The author of this essay reflects on commercial disease management programs, giving
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Contact: Janelle Davis
jdavis@aafp.org
913-906-6000
American Academy of Family Physicians
4-Jun-2007