Recorded presentation

Charles S. Mahan, MD, Peter A. Gorski, MD, MPA, and Delores F. Jeffers, RN, MPH. The Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, The University of South Florida, 3111 E. Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613, 813-974-8336, csmahan@hsc.usf.edu

The National Friendly Access^SM Program aims to improve the quality of maternal and child health care in the United States as outlined by The Institute of Medicine in 1998 : 1) the provision of care that is respectful of and responsive to individual preferences, needs, values and ensuring that patient values guide clinical decisions; and 2) the provision of care that does not vary in quality because of personal characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, geographic location, and socioeconomic status.

Friendly Access^SM was developed in collaboration with CDC, HRSA, and the Disney Institute to change maternal and child health care at the community, institutional, and practice levels in ways that measurably improve consumers' access, satisfaction, use, and outcomes. Our university-community partnership approaches the project objectives through formative research and data use; evaluation; community development; coalition building; education; leadership development; active consumer involvement; quality service training; and strategic planning.

This session will present the development and demonstration of the Friendly Access^SM Program in four communities, highlight lessons learned, and offer suggestions for adapting the model in other communities.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Identify the developmental milestones of Friendly Access^SM.
  7. Compare and contrast Friendly Access^SM with other national initiatives aimed at improving maternal and child health care.
  11. Differentiate the structure and function of a Community Friendly Access^SM Coalition with other community maternal and child health coalitions.
  15. Recognize the importance of improving service quality for improving health care consumers' access, satisfaction and outcomes.

Keywords: Prenatal Care, Maternal and Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment

Recorded presentation