The Northwest AHEC Practice Support Team supports social, physical, and economic environments which promote attaining the full potential of health and well-being for all. This blog segment highlights impactful publications which promote improved health outcomes through Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) each month.

Our featured report this month discusses reducing disparities in health care.

Reducing disparities in health care. American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/patient-support-advocacy/reducing-disparities-health-care. October 23, 2023. Accessed November 12, 2024

In this article, the AMA aims to enhance health outcomes and reduce inequities across all patient populations. They also agreed to raise awareness of health imbalances and the importance of understanding culturally competent health care and health literacy by working with state medical societies, medical schools, medical students and policymakers. 

A Year of Innovation and Progress
As 2024 comes to a close, we at Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC) reflect on an extraordinary year of adaptation and advancement. From addressing workforce challenges to promoting value-based care, the contributions from our partners in the Practice Support Community have driven remarkable progress. Together, we’ve expanded telehealth capabilities, targeted health disparities, integrated mental health services in primary care, and explored the potential of artificial intelligence in patient care. The commitment from the Health Care Professionals in the Practices we Support has been pivotal in improving healthcare delivery across our community.

Key Achievements
This year, our Practice Support team engaged with healthcare practices in 29 counties, completing 2,481 coaching encounters across 27 topics. From guiding Medicaid Expansion to addressing disaster recovery and optimizing electronic health records (EHR), our coaches worked tirelessly to meet your diverse needs. Highlights include support for advanced medical home (AMH) tiers, billing and coding assistance, and quality improvement projects for diabetes management and pediatric immunizations. The team assisted on key behavioral health initiatives including 99 Tailored Care Management coaching encounters and 115 encounters regarding Collaborative Care Model implementation which integrates behavioral health into primary care.

Figure 1: Encounter Topics 2024

Figure 2 Encounters Per County 2024

Expanding Resources and Outreach
Northwest AHEC has broadened its reach through various digital initiatives. Our Practice Support Blog featured 95 posts with over 5,500 views, while our online courses—covering topics such as diabetes care and behavioral health integration—garnered strong participation. Additionally, our 13 curated Library Resource Guides offered accessible, actionable knowledge for healthcare professionals across disciplines.

Looking Ahead to 2025
In 2025, Northwest AHEC will continue focusing on innovative strategies such as leveraging AI for improved clinical decisions, enhancing cybersecurity to protect patient data, and prioritizing sustainable healthcare practices. Our vision remains rooted in equipping practices to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape while maintaining a steadfast commitment to quality and equity in care.

Partnering for a Healthier Future
Your dedication and collaboration fuel our shared success. Our quality improvement services remain available at no cost to eligible practices, ensuring access to tailored support for clinical and operational advancements. Together, let’s continue to enhance healthcare delivery and improve the health of our communities. To connect with a practice support coach, submit an application here or email practicesupport@ncahec.net for more information.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Northwest AHEC community. Let’s make 2025 another year of impactful progress!

Quality Payment Program Small Practices Newsletter: December 2024

The Quality Payment Program (QPP) Small Practices Newsletter is a monthly resource that provides small practices (15 or fewer clinicians) with program updates, upcoming QPP milestones, and resources to support their continued participation and success in QPP. We send this newsletter on the second Tuesday of each month.

Practice Support has so much to offer you and your practice team. We focus on WHAT MATTERS TO YOU. 

Did you know:

Practice Support is your resource for your Quality Improvement Projects?

• We can help you understand reporting requirements, and support you in your work toward meeting quality goals for NC Medicaid, and the Medicare Quality Payment Programs and / or Making Care Primary.

• Maybe you want to implement a new diagnostic, treatment, or team-based care modality (like scribes or care managers)? We have expertise in the QI processes of examining current state, and identifying what your practice can do to achieve desired future state, and support you every step of the way.

Hurricane Helene was an historic storm for a large region of the southern U.S.

Our friends, neighbors, colleagues, and whole communities in the mountains of Western North Carolina have suffered unimaginable flooding and devastation.

As Mr. Rogers would say (to help preschoolers cope with their feelings when facing similar situations), "Look for the helpers. There are always helpers." 

*Right now, people are urged not to 'self-deploy' to affected areas so that vital work can be done by emergency workers. *

We are sharing with you some resources that contain links and contact information to help guide your efforts to help.

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it's a good time to pause and check in on family, friends, neighbors...and yourself. 

Let Northwest AHEC Help you maintain your certification for ABMS Credit, formerly MOC IV. American Board of Medical Specialties Continuing Certification (ABMS) - Formerly Maintenance of Certification Part IV (MOC IV).

One of Northwest AHEC's practices in located in Catawba County recently received a training from Practice Support staff on Managing Difficult Patient Situations. Practice Administrator for Newton Family Physicians P.A., Melissa White,  commended our staff and services "NWAHEC is a valuable resource for us and recently assisted us in some valuable training for my staff."

Join the Northwest Area Health Education Center (NWAHEC) in welcoming the newest member of the Practice Support Team, Lara Dickerson, BA, AAS.

Is your practice interested in getting help from an interprofessional team of graduate level health professions students participating in a leadership group through the North Carolina Medical Society call the Future Clinical Leaders College?