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.