Helping primary care practices attain patient-centered medical home (PCMH) recognition through collaboration with a university.

PURPOSE Transforming a primary care practice into a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a resource-dependent endeavor. The objective of our study was to evaluate a facilitation model used to support rural primary care practices during a redesign of their processes to achieve recognition as National Center for Quality Assurance PCMHs. METHODS The model was a collaboration between Community Care of North Carolina and a local university where undergraduate students worked directly with practices under the guidance of a Community Care of North Carolina PCMH Team. RESULTS The facilitation model resulted in positive outcomes for both primary care practices and students. CONCLUSIONS Partnerships between care networks, agencies, payers, or practices and universities or colleges can yield mutual benefits and should be explored.