JAMA Network November 26, 2018
Key Points
Question What is the association of a team-based primary care transformation collaborative initiative with patient health care utilization and costs?
Findings In this study, among chronically ill patients in 18 practices who were exposed to team-based care, there was an 18% reduction in hospitalizations, a 25% reduction in emergency department visits, and a 36% reduction in ambulatory care–sensitive emergency department visits relative to 76 comparison practices. Among healthier patients, there was an increase in outpatient visits and hospitalizations.
Meaning Team-based approaches to primary care transformation may benefit patients with chronic illness by reducing the use of acute care; however, it may lead to higher use among healthier patients.
Importance Empirical study findings to date are...