Helping primary care practices attain patient-centered medical home (PCMH) recognition through collaboration with a university.

PURPOSE: Transforming a primary care practice into a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a resource-dependent endeavor. The objective of our study was to evaluate a facilitation model used to support rural primary care practices during a redesign of their processes to achieve recognition as National Center for Quality Assurance PCMHs.

METHODS: The model was a collaboration between Community Care of North Carolina and a local university where undergraduate students worked directly with practices under the guidance of a Community Care of North Carolina PCMH Team.

RESULTS: The facilitation model resulted in positive outcomes for both primary care practices and students.

CONCLUSIONS: Partnerships between care networks, agencies, payers, or practices and universities or colleges can yield mutual benefits and should be explored.