Newswise — ALEXANDRIA, VA— The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) today announced the release of the Best Practices in Managing Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Compendium. The Compendium includes case studies from medical groups, independent practice associations, academic practices, and integrated delivery systems that have incorporated the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) into their chronic care models. The case studies outline the particular interventions and how they worked to make progress towards the following common goals:
• Early identification and diagnosis of patients at risk for or currently suffering with symptoms of COPD• Improved medication adherence and compliance• Continuity of care across settings and transitions of care• Increased ability to self-manage symptoms and disease progression through healthier lifestyles• Improved health and well-being, and patient satisfaction• Improved physician/patient relationships
The case studies are available for download here.
The Compendium was developed in the 2010-2011 Best Practices in Managing COPD Learning Collaborative, conducted through the AMGA’s nonprofit arm, the American Medical Group Foundation (AMGF). The Collaborative was an educational service supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The following groups participated:
• Advocate Physician Partners, Mount Prospect, Illinois • DuPage Medical Group, Winfield, IL• The Everett Clinic, Everett, WA• FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Pinehurst, NC• Geisinger Health System, Wyoming, PA• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Wellesley, MA• HealthCare Partners Medical Group, Torrance, CA• Mercy Clinics, Inc., Des Moines, IA• Novant Medical Group/Novant Health, Winston-Salem, NC• Reliant Medical Group, Worcester, MA • University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
The Collaborative groups participated in bi-monthly webinars on relevant topics, attended two in-person meetings, and had timely access to industry experts. The Learning Collaborative commenced in November 2010 and concluded in November 2011.
"There is an imperative need to improve the delivery of evidence-based care, particularly for patients with chronic disease,” said Heather Taylor, DNP, RNC, WHNP-BC, Clinical Liaison, FirstHealth of the Carolinas. “Through the collaborative access to experts in the field and peers working to address similar issues in health care, we were able to apply lessons learned to align health care provider practice, improve patient education efforts, and build a transitional care climate within our health system. We hope that by detailing our efforts at FirstHealth through the cumulative case study, we are able to share our experiences with others and ultimately improve patient care and satisfaction."
"These organizations demonstrated by working together and sharing best practices, they were able to provide a patient-centered and value-based approach to chronic care," said Donald W. Fisher, Ph.D., CAE, AMGA's president and chief executive officer and AMGF secretary and treasurer. "We salute the dedication of these organizations who strive toward the optimal care framework by improving patient outcomes, efficiency, coordination, and organizational and clinical integration."
The featured medical groups were selected solely by AMGF without input from BIPI. Selection as a participating medical group does not constitute an endorsement or referral by Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., its affiliated companies, its board of directors or its employees (collectively, “BIPI”). The program was sponsored by BIPI, however the content and opinions expressed herein were selected, developed and written by or with the oversight of AMGF, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BIPI.
The American Medical Group Association represents some of the nation's largest, most prestigious medical practices, independent practice associations, accountable care organizations, and integrated healthcare delivery systems. AMGA's mission is to support its members in enhancing population health and care for patients through integrated systems of care. More than 130,000 physicians practice in AMGA member organizations, providing healthcare services for 120 million patients (approximately one in three Americans). Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, AMGA is the strategic partner for these organizations, providing a comprehensive package of benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs, publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. The American Medical Group Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the AMGA. As a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization, its mission is to foster quality improvement in group practice through education and research programs in clinical quality, patient safety, service, operational efficiency, and innovation. In addition to research and demonstration projects, the Foundation helps support learning collaboratives and presents educational grants and awards to medical groups that demonstrate improvements in practice, quality, and patient care. www.amga.org
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