The Role of Health Extension in Practice Transformation and Community Health Improvement: Lessons From 5 Case Studies

Authors

Arthur Kaufman, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
W Perry Dickinson, Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
Lyle J. Fagnan, Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
Daniel Duffy, Office of Health Care Innovation, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
Michael L. Parchman, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
Robert L. Rhyne, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2019

Abstract

Passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act triggered 2 successive grant initiatives from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, allowing for the evolution of health extension models among 20 states, not limited to support for in-clinic primary care practice transformation, but also including a broader concept incorporating technical assistance for practices and their communities to address social determinants of health. Five states stand out in stretching the boundaries of health extension: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington. Their stories reveal lessons learned regarding the successes and challenges, including the importance of building sustained relationships with practices and community coalitions; of documenting success in broad terms as well as achieving diverse outcomes of meaning to different stakeholders; of understanding that health extension is a function that can be carried out by an individual or group depending on resources; and of being prepared for political struggles over “turf” and ownership of extension. All states saw the need for long-term, sustained fundraising beyond grants in an environment expecting a short-term return on investment, and they were challenged operating in a shifting health system landscape where the creativity and personal relationships built with small primary care practices was hindered when these practices were purchased by larger health delivery systems.

Comments

This work was supported by grant numbers 1U18HS020890, 1U18HS020972, 1R18HS23904, and 1R18HS023908 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Recommended Citation

Kaufman A, Dickinson WP, Fagnan LJ, Duffy FD, Parchman ML, Rhyne RL. The Role of Health Extension in Practice Transformation and Community Health Improvement: Lessons From 5 Case Studies. Ann Fam Med. 2019 Aug 12;17(Suppl 1):S67-S72. doi: 10.1370/afm.2409. PMID: 31405879; PMCID: PMC6827669.