Elizabeth J Brown1, Shreya Kangovi2, Christopher Sha3, Sarah Johnson4, Casey Chanton5, Tamala Carter5, David T Grande6. 1. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Department of Family and Community Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania elizbro@upenn.edu. 2. The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Division of General Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Penn Center for Community Health Workers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3. Department of Medicine, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. 5. Penn Center for Community Health Workers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 6. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Division of General Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Previous studies suggest that the highest-risk patients value accessible, coordinated primary care that they perceive to be of high technical quality. We have limited understanding, however, of how low-income, chronically ill patients and the staff who care for them experience each individual step in the primary care process. METHODS: We conducted qualitative interviews with uninsured or Medicaid patients with chronic illnesses, as well as with primary care staff. We interviewed 21 patients and 30 staff members with a variety of job titles from 3 primary care practices (1 federally qualified health center and 2 academically affiliated clinics).] RESULTS: The interviews revealed 3 major issues that were present at all stages of a primary care episode: (1) information flow throughout an episode of care is a frequent challenge, despite systems that are intended to improve communication; (2) misaligned goals and expectations among patients, clinicians, and staff members are often an impediment to providing and obtaining care; and (3) personal relationships are highly valued by both patients and staff. CONCLUSIONS: Vulnerable populations and the primary care staff who work with them perceive some of the same challenges throughout the primary care process. Improving information flow, aligning goals and expectations, and developing personal relationships may improve the experience of both patients and staff.
PURPOSE: Previous studies suggest that the highest-risk patients value accessible, coordinated primary care that they perceive to be of high technical quality. We have limited understanding, however, of how low-income, chronically ill patients and the staff who care for them experience each individual step in the primary care process. METHODS: We conducted qualitative interviews with uninsured or Medicaid patients with chronic illnesses, as well as with primary care staff. We interviewed 21 patients and 30 staff members with a variety of job titles from 3 primary care practices (1 federally qualified health center and 2 academically affiliated clinics).] RESULTS: The interviews revealed 3 major issues that were present at all stages of a primary care episode: (1) information flow throughout an episode of care is a frequent challenge, despite systems that are intended to improve communication; (2) misaligned goals and expectations among patients, clinicians, and staff members are often an impediment to providing and obtaining care; and (3) personal relationships are highly valued by both patients and staff. CONCLUSIONS: Vulnerable populations and the primary care staff who work with them perceive some of the same challenges throughout the primary care process. Improving information flow, aligning goals and expectations, and developing personal relationships may improve the experience of both patients and staff.
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