Developing an Academic-Community Partnership at a Patient Centered Health Home

Background

Adults living with severe persistent mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than other Americans, due to treatable medical conditions, and cost  the United States $193.2 billion in lost earnings every year. (Duckworth, 2013). The Affordable Care Act of 2010, created an option for states to establish Health Homes to provide comprehensive coordinated care for people on Medicaid with severe persistent mental illness.

Program Description

The Lourdes University College of Nursing received an Ohio Board of Nursing Grant to expand clinicals to a Health Home. Lourdes University partnered with a local community mental health home agency to allow groups of students to alternate weekly between the community mental health center and group homes. QSEN concepts,  Ohio Patient Centered Medical Home curriculum, and  Center for Medicare and Medicaid health home core measures, and state selected measures were used to design student assignments, observations, and patient activities. 

Lessons Learned

Several factors led to the success of the clinical included collaboration with Health Home staff, visits to the site prior to the start of clinical, and student activities that directly benefited patients and health home objectives. One barrier was decreased patient interaction related to canceled appointments and coordination with staff.

 Recommendation/Implications

Meet with Health Home staff prior to the start of the clinical to discuss clinical goals, Health Home goals, and coordinate clinical schedule.

Design activities that increase students understanding of the Patient Centered Health Home model and value community partners to meet the needs of clients.