HomeWhat's New Dean Fall Learning Institute Electrifies PCMH Pilot Practices

Dean Fall Learning Institute Electrifies PCMH Pilot Practices

10/22/2009

Staff from Dean practices devised skits that educated and engaged.

Dr. Trent Thompson, Physician Lead, Waunakee Family Medicine

TransforMED, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the American Academy of Family Physicians and Dean Health System, one of the largest integrated health care delivery systems in the country conducted a full day learning institute at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Madison, Wisconsin on October 22, 2009. Highlighted at the learning institute were presentations on access to care and care management as well as a patient panel presentation at the end which received a standing ovation from the participating physicians and their teams.

"The fall learning institute was a great success," said Dr. Paul Reber, Vice President of Clinical Affairs in the Office of Medical Affairs at Dean Health Systems. "It was well attended, the audience was engaged, and the feedback universally positive."

There were approximately 65 physicians, nurses and office managers who attended the October 22 learning institute. The site team presentations highlighted the practice’s accomplishments, shared best practices, demonstrated pride in the progress, and illustrated a change in the culture to one of process improvement.

"Having the site representatives really seeing the value of networking and building on what their colleagues and other sites have accomplished, made for a very interactive learning environment," said Diane Cardwell, TransforMED practice enhancement facilitator.

The learning institute culminated with a patient panel discussion which provided an open dialogue on what primary care looks like to the patient and highlighted the importance of what patient-centered care looks like. Some of the key items discussed amongst the panel included the appreciation patients have for technology in managing their care and wellness and the value they see in having one place to go for their health care needs. At the end of the presentation, the patient panel received a standing ovation from the participating practices.

"The patient panel was honest and revealed strengths as well as opportunities," said Dr. Reber. "In the midst of day to day struggles, it is sometimes difficult to see changes. The fall learning institute made everyone aware of just how far we’ve come."

Find out more about TransforMED's practice transformation projects.

About TransforMED

The Leawood, Kan.-based TransforMED LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Established in 2005, TransforMED provides ongoing consultation and support to physicians looking to transform their practices to a new model of care that is based on the concept of a patient-centered medical home. TransforMED is an active member of primary care communities and recognizes and supports the unique value that primary care offers to patients and the health care system. TransforMED shares and supports the idealism and altruism of primary care physicians and the strong commitment to their communities and patients through continuing patient relationships and independent decision making. TransforMED offers practices both products and services, including consultation and advice on implementing the patient centered medical home model. To learn more about TransforMED, visit www.transformed.com.