Innovative approaches to interprofessional care at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Abstract

The enactment of the Affordable Care Act expands coverage to millions of uninsured Americans and creates a new workforce landscape. Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (ICP) is no longer a choice but a necessity. In this paper, we describe four innovative approaches to interprofessional practice at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. These models demonstrate innovative applications of ICP to inpatient and outpatient care, relying on non-physician providers, training programs, and technology to deliver more appropriate care to specific patient groups. We also discuss the ongoing evaluation plans to assess the effects of these interprofessional practices on patient health, quality of care, and healthcare costs. We conclude that successful implementation of interprofessional teams involves more than just a reassignment of tasks, but also depends on structuring the environment and workflow in a way that facilitates team-based care.

• Advanced practice providers
• e-visits
• geriatric care
• hospitalists
• interprofessional collaborative practice
• outpatient clinic

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the writing and content of this article.

This project was funded by a grant from the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education at the University of Minnesota, as part of a grant from the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation.