Professors Linda Green at Columbia University and Sergei Savin at the Wharton School created an analytical model to determine the impact several changes would have on the ability of providers to increase the amount of care delivered in primary care settings. The authors found that by providing care in team-based “pods,” increasing use of electronic medical records and electronic communications, sharing data, and the appropriate use of non-physicians, projected increases in demand can be met with current physician growth.Many areas in Michigan lack adequate access to care, and with hundreds of thousands of new people gaining access to health insurance, new ways of delivering high-quality, cost-effective care will be essential.
The Michigan Health Council’s Education 2 Practice Team is working to develop relationships with clinical sites, educators, and students to develop these new care models to bridge the gap between education and practice.
This study is one additional piece of evidence to show how collaborative care and interprofessional education will be an essential part of the solution to address Michigan’s health care provider shortfall.
The Michigan Health Council is always working to find new and innovative solutions to the challenges facing patients, providers, and employers in Michigan.