Redefining Primary Care in an Evolving Rural & Community Healthcare Landscape
The U.S. healthcare system stands on the cusp of an era marked by a shortage of primary care physicians. As the baby boomer generation ages, the demand for medical care grows, and expanded insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act is ushering in more patients. With the impending retirement of nearly one-third of the physician workforce and fewer physicians opting for careers in primary care, the need for a transformative approach is evident—especially in rural settings. Stroudwater Associates’ Primary Care Practice Redesign is leading the way in helping rural and community hospitals make changes to their primary care practice model that result in powerful impacts on the hospital and the patients.
Team-Based Model of Care
Team-based care is a paradigm shift. It places every member of the rural hospital staff at the helm of patient care, ensuring:
Enhanced Patient Relationships
Physicians, NPs, and PAs have more time to listen, think deeply, and build trust with patients.
Increased Efficiency and Revenue
The model accommodates more patient volume and provides high-quality care, maximizing revenue opportunities.
Optimal Utilization of Resources
Providers can see more patients and expand their panel size without overburdening the system.
Innovations in Workflow for a Superior Primary Care Experience
The experience of primary care is enriched by:
- Proactively planning visits and engaging in daily huddles
- Empowering support staff to manage immunizations, health maintenance, lab/radiology test scheduling, and initiating discussions on Advanced Care Planning
- Streamlining documentation, non-physician order entry, and prescription management
- Allowing patient service representatives to schedule patients directly without delays
Redesigning Office Practices
for Team-Based Workflow
An optimized primary care environment divides office visits into distinct stages.
Data Gathering by Medical Assistants
Physical Examination
Medical Decision-Making
Patient Education & Implementation
Tangible Benefits of Practice Redesign in a Rural or Community Hospital
Financial Performance
Estimated revenue increases by $145,000/physician/year. Profit margins can surge up to 25% due to enhanced patient service revenue and standardized operations. Provider turnover costs, estimated at $1.2 million/FTE, are significantly reduced.
Patient Experience
Patient and Provider Engagement
Embracing the STEPS to Implementing Team-Based Care
Guided by the American Medical Association’s STEPS framework, our team focuses on:
Engaging the change team
Determining team composition
Choreographing workflows for the new care model
Intensifying communication among all parties
Using a phased approach for model implementation
Optimizing the care model for continual improvements
The Primary Care Practice Redesign Team
