Implementation and Evaluation of the Success of a Direct Primary Care Model
Abstract
Due to rising health care costs, limited access to primary care, and primary care provider
shortages, new health care models need to be implemented to reduce costs, improve outcomes,
increase access, and encourage more providers to remain in primary care. Direct primary care is
a membership-based healthcare model that has the capability to improve health outcomes of
primary care patients. A pilot, quality improvement study was used to evaluate the process and
enrollment success of a new direct primary care model incorporated into an existing primary care
practice to create a hybrid. Process metrics included the number of patients enrolled per month
and demographic information of the enrollees including age, race, marital status, sex,
comorbidities, income, and insurance type. The project site was an urgent care and family
practice office in Seward, NE that focused on adult primary care patients. The direct primary
care model was successfully developed and implemented and resulted in 14 enrolled patients
over a six month time frame. The development and implementation of direct primary care offers
the residents of the county an alternative option to access primary care.
Degree
D.N.P.
Thesis Department
Rights
Open Access (fully available)
Copyright retained by author