About the Project
The Patient-Centered Care Project was a two-year project (January 2010-December 2011) that examined patient-centered, primary care innovation occurring in Washington State, using five provider organizations to capture variations in culture, organizational structure, and environment that are related to the implementation and impact of patient-centered innovation. The focus was on four forms of innovation: the patient-centered medical home; shared patient-provider decision-making and use of decision aids; the development of accountable care organizations; and new forms of payment for primary care by purchasers. The research team tracked patient, provider, and staff experiences and health services utilization and cost at two practice sites within each of the five organizations. Data collection methods included surveys, interviews, and analyses of health services utilization. The five provider organizations participating in this project were the following: MultiCare Health System, Northwest Physicians Network, Swedish Medical Center, The Everett Clinic, and Virginia Mason Medical Center. Analysis of health services utilization was based on data provided by the following health plans and self-insured employers: Molina Healthcare, Premera Blue Cross, Regence Blue Shield, Uniform Medical Plan (Washington State Health Care Authority), Boeing, the City of Seattle, King County, and Snohomish County.