This webinar shared evidence-based models that provide a framework for health centers to optimize the team in primary care. Experts described how utilization of extended team members and technology can reduce gaps in care for prediabetics and diabetics. With a focus on lifestyle and community based projects, this webinar highlighted the strategies and resources to improve the health and behaviors of patients at risk for diabetes and manage uncontrolled diabetes. Through early detection and providing diabetes management through a team-based care, health centers can help patients’ live long, healthy lives.

Community health centers are participating in a healthcare marketplace that is gradually moving from volume to value. Because of health centers’ financial and infrastructure limitations, it may not be prudent for them to engage in full risk contracts at this point. This webinar described the continuum of value-based contracting, and suggested steps for health centers to move up the continuum. It also outlined basic elements of infrastructure to perform well in a value-based environment. Presenters from Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic presented their experience.  

This webinar focused on how to improve child weight screening, nutrition and physical activity counselling, and design appropriate and meaningful interventions according to health center peers. Discussion and demonstrations of how you may be able to optimize your EHR to encourage accurate and complete collection of required data, and identify children who may need intervention also took place.  A number of tools that support this quality improvement around addressing child weight and potential for obesity were discussed, including Bright Futures guidance and data validation tools from HITEQ.

Building on the HITEQ Center’s previous webinars that introduced an Analytic Capability Assessment, building a roadmap for action and using data governance to maximize the value of data, the third webinar in this series explored how to grow and sustain these efforts. Too often, analytic initiatives and data capacity building are based on the heroics of a few individuals. In times of high turnover and changing priorities, how can we make data driven decision-making part of a health center’s culture? This webinar introduced the Data Strategy Worksheet, a tool developed by the Center for Care Innovation to help align data strategy with organizational strategy, as well as explored ways to implement a Data Services function. Even small agencies with scarce resources can develop the skillset, mindset, and toolset to embed and sustain a data driven culture.

During this Bright Futures webinar presented by HRSA, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Obesity Leadership Workgroup addressed these topics:

• Key components of a comprehensive obesity assessment (for patients ages 2-21) in the context of a well visit
• Ways to engage patients and families in treatment
• Obesity-specific family history, physical exam and review of systems
• Potential laboratory and diagnostic tests for those at risk of co-morbidities
• Key Bright Futures anticipatory guidance