What is TransforMED?
The Leawood, Kan.-based TransforMED is an initiative of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) focused on transformative practice redesign. Established in 2005, TransforMED provides ongoing consultation and support to physicians looking to transform their practices to a model of care that is based on the concept of a relationship-centered personal medical home. This model was first outlined in the Future of Family Medicine report published in March 2004. In an effort to make the transformation process as turn-key as possible, TransforMED will offer practices fully integrated and prepackaged products and services, including consultation and advice on implementing the new model. A "proof-of-concept" National Demonstration Project to test the TransforMED model of care in physician offices across the United States will inform the development of future product and service lines.
How is TransforMED funded?
The American Academy of Family Physicians has committed an initial $8 million to fund TransforMED. TransforMED will seek out additional grant opportunities to expand operations and fund future initiatives.
What is the TransforMED Model of Care?
Based on the concept of a relationship-centered personal medical home for all Americans, the TransforMED Model of Care is family medicine's answer to the Institute of Medicine's call to cross the quality chasm, and it aims to transform how medicine is practiced in this country. The model has both a systems and a patient focus and features eight core elements:
TransforMED: Frequently Asked Questions
- Patient-centered care
- Whole-person orientation
- Team approach to care
- Elimination of barriers to access; open access by patients
- Advanced information systems, including electronic health records
- Redesigned, more functional offices
- Focus on quality and safety
- Sustainable reimbursement
These elements are accomplished through practice innovations including: open access scheduling, online appointments, electronic health records, group visits, electronic visits, chronic disease management, Web-based information, leveraging and engaging clinical staff, clinical practice guideline software, outcomes analysis and alternative reimbursement models.
What is the National Demonstration Project?
The initial focus of TransforMED is to develop, implement and evaluate a "proof-of-concept" National Demonstration Project to pilot test the TransforMED Model of Care in 36 family medicine practices of varying sizes and profiles across the country. This goal of this project is to provide an objective view into exactly how the components of the TransforMED Model of Care will impact patient satisfaction, quality of care, and practice efficiency and economics. It also will also help determine the most efficient and effective way to implement this kind of transformative change in physician practices. Pilot practices will implement fully all elements of the new model and undergo thorough, real-time evaluation to determine empirically the model's impact. The results and lessons learned from the National Demonstration Project will be shared on an ongoing basis and will be synthesized in a final analysis at the end of the two year project. These results will inform TransforMED's future strategies, products and services for supporting practice innovation.
What is the timeline for the National Demonstration Project?
The application process for practices interested in participating in the project closed January 30, 2006. The final list of committed sites will be publicly announced in April 2006, and a project launch meeting is scheduled for early June 2006. A final report is expected in early 2009; however, key lessons learned from the project will be synthesized and shared on an ongoing basis.
What are future plans for TransforMED?
Future plans call for TransforMED to expand its service offerings to primary care physicians across the country, providing them with fully integrated and prepackaged products and services, including expertise and experience implementing the new model with ease. An initial offering of TransforMED's products and services to early adopters of the new model is expected in 2007.
By forging partnerships with technology vendors, developing customized and integrated product and service packages, refining existing products to meet family physicians' needs and providing consultation, advice and training to practices, TransforMED will assist primary care practices in transitioning to the new model of care.
Who comprise the leadership and staff of TransforMED?
Key TransforMED leadership and staff include:
Board of Directors
James C. Martin, M.D., TransforMED Board Chair, program director, Family Medicine Residency Program at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care, San Antonio
Judith Chamberlain, M.D., family physician and director of the AAFP
Douglas Henley, M.D., executive vice president of the AAFP
Charles M. Kilo, M.D., M.P.H., chief executive officer, GreenField Health
Thomas Kintanar, M.D., family physician and director of the AAFP
Pat Nazemetz, vice president of human resources, Xerox Corporatioin
Randall Oates, M.D., founder and chief executive officer of DOCS, Inc.
James C. Puffer, M.D., president and chief executive officer, American Board of Family Medicine
William D. Soper, M.D., M.B.A., chief executive officer, Medical Data Services
TransforMED Key Staff
Terry McGeeney, M.D., M.B.A., President and Chief Executive Officer
Don Winschel, M.A., F.A.C.H.E., Chief Information Officer
Marilyn McMillen, M.B.A., Executive Director
What is the National Demonstration Project?
The initial focus of TransforMED is to develop, implement and evaluate a "proof-of-concept" National Demonstration Project to pilot test the TransforMED Model of Care in 36 family medicine practices of varying sizes and profiles across the country. This goal of this project is to provide an objective view into exactly how the components of the TransforMED Model of Care will impact patient satisfaction, quality of care, and practice efficiency and economics. It also will also help determine the most efficient and effective way to implement this kind of transformative change in physician practices. Pilot practices will implement fully all elements of the new model and undergo thorough, real-time evaluation to determine empirically the model's impact. The results and lessons learned from the National Demonstration Project will be shared on an ongoing basis and will be synthesized in a final analysis at the end of the two year project. These results will inform TransforMED's future strategies, products and services for supporting practice innovation.
What is the timeline for the National Demonstration Project?
The application process for practices interested in participating in the project closed January 30, 2006. The final list of committed sites will be publicly announced in April 2006, and a project launch meeting is scheduled for early June 2006. A final report is expected in early 2009; however, key lessons learned from the project will be synthesized and shared on an ongoing basis.
What are future plans for TransforMED?
Future plans call for TransforMED to expand its service offerings to primary care physicians across the country, providing them with fully integrated and prepackaged products and services, including expertise and experience implementing the new model with ease. An initial offering of TransforMED's products and services to early adopters of the new model is expected in 2007.
By forging partnerships with technology vendors, developing customized and integrated product and service packages, refining existing products to meet family physicians' needs and providing consultation, advice and training to practices, TransforMED will assist primary care practices in transitioning to the new model of care.
Who comprise the leadership and staff of TransforMED?
Key TransforMED leadership and staff include:
Board of Directors
James C. Martin, M.D., TransforMED Board Chair, program director, Family Medicine Residency Program at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care, San Antonio
Judith Chamberlain, M.D., family physician and director of the AAFP
Douglas Henley, M.D., executive vice president of the AAFP
Charles M. Kilo, M.D., M.P.H., chief executive officer, GreenField Health
Thomas Kintanar, M.D., family physician and director of the AAFP
Pat Nazemetz, vice president of human resources, Xerox Corporatioin
Randall Oates, M.D., founder and chief executive officer of DOCS, Inc.
James C. Puffer, M.D., president and chief executive officer, American Board of Family Medicine
William D. Soper, M.D., M.B.A., chief executive officer, Medical Data Services
TransforMED Key Staff
Terry McGeeney, M.D., M.B.A., President and Chief Executive Officer
Don Winschel, M.A., F.A.C.H.E., Chief Information Officer
Marilyn McMillen, M.B.A., Executive Director
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