PCEP is a framework of care intended to support a variety of models of practice. Optimal effectiveness is likely to come when PCEP is aligned with primary care practices based on the patient-centered medical home model (PCMH). The PCEP model provides assistance for the transformation of primary care to the medical home model.
While the medical home model represents an improvement in health care delivery and outcomes, unaddressed social determinants of health often impact a patient's ability to follow through on his or her care plan. Public health programming may be able to impact some of these barriers with the use of lay health workers who straddle the gap between the patient in the community and the medical practice.
The PCEP model incorporates Health Extension Agents (HEAs) to perform this outreach function. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) calls for the development of a national PCEP framework, funding has not been allocated.
On June 17, 2011, Illinois Health Connect hosted a state-wide summit to explore the PCEP concept and opportunities for creating a PCEP network in Illinois.
Please review the links below for information about the summit. For additional questions, contact Margaret Kirkegaard, MD, MPH, Illinois Health Connect Medical Director at mkirkegaard@automated-health.com.
Preconference Readings
- Primary Care Extension Program for Illinois
- Berwick Extension Agent Interview
- HA Blueprint Article
- JAMA Extension Agent
- Annals of Family Medicine Kaufman
- New Mexico Health Extension
- Primary Care Health Extension
Environmental Surveys
- Aggressive Lipid Management and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction for Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention
- Office of the Future/PEDS CARE
- Illinois Area Health Education Centers Network Program
- Bright Smiles from Birth
- CHIPRA Quality Demonstration Project
- Enhancing Developmentally Oriented Primary Care (EDOPC)
- Building Community Based Medical Homes for Children Program
- Promoting Health
- Immunization Initiatives
