The Primary Care Transformation Executive Fellowship to Develop Community Health Center Leaders

Abstract

Introduction

Although many primary care providers from community health centers recognize health disparities and work to transform healthcare, skill gaps and limited support may hinder their ability to be change agents. The Primary Care Transformation Executive (PCTE) Fellowship at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) seeks to address these barriers by providing professional development and support to primary care providers interested in leading change in the nation’s health centers.

Methods

The PCTE Fellowship is a structured, one-year interprofessional learning experience that emphasizes topics such as healthcare transformation, interprofessional practice, leadership development, and systems thinking. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the program was accomplished through surveys and semi-structured interviews throughout the fellowship.

Results

Feedback from 18 fellows showed perceived improvements in knowledge and skills related to the various curricular topics, increased engagement in leadership activities, and career advancement. Fellows developed practice and quality improvement projects and successfully implemented the projects within their health systems, addressing observed disparities.

Conclusion

Professional development and directed support for primary care providers can enhance their engagement in healthcare transformation and advance health equity.

Keywords:

• leadership
• healthcare transformation
• quadruple AIM
• health systems science
• social determinants of health
• community health center
• population health

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,999,650 with 0% percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.