Comprehensive Care, Community, and Culture Program
ABOUT THE STUDY
Not long ago, most patients who went to the hospital were seen by their family physician. Many patients found comfort in seeing their regular doctor who already knew their medical history and their family.
Today, many patients have a primary care doctor who sees them in the outpatient clinic. However, if they have to stay in the hospital, they get care from a doctor they do not know.
Many people believe the relationship between patients and their doctors is the key to better health. This led us to ask if care would be better if patients were seen by the same doctor in the clinic and the hospital. For the past few years we have been studying if patients are happier with their care and have better health and lower health care costs if they see the same doctor in the clinic and the hospital compared to having different doctors in the clinic and the hospital. We also recently wondered if patients might benefit from having help accessing community and cultural programs.
To answer these questions, we will randomly divide patients into three groups. The first group of patients can stay with their current doctor or get information about other primary care options. If these patients are hospitalized, they will usually get are in the hospital from a hospital medicine doctor (hospitalist) rather than their primary care physician. The second group will have a doctor who sees them both in the clinic and the hospital. The third group will have the same doctor in the clinic and the hospital and have help accessing community and cultural programs. We will review patients’ medical records and call them every 3 months to learn about their health and the quality of care they receive.
WHO CAN ENROLL?
To join the study you must:
- Have Medicare part A and part B.
- Have been in the hospital in the last 2 years.
- Be willing to get primary care from one doctor in both the clinic and the hospital.
- Provide consent to join the study.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
After you join the study, you will be randomly placed in one of three groups:
- Group 1: You can keep your current doctor or be given information to help you change your doctors if you want. If you are staying in the hospital, a doctor who works there will care for you.
- Group 2: You will get care from one of our doctors both in the outpatient clinic and the hospital.
- Group 3: You will get care from one of our doctors both in the outpatient clinic and the hospital. You will also have access to the Artful Living Program, which could include community and cultural activities like yoga and dance classes, book clubs, cooking classes, art classes, music concerts, and field trips. You may also be able to receive home visits from a Community Health Worker who works with your CCP team to understand and help address your needs.
In all three groups:
- We will call you every 3 months and review your health records to learn about the quality of care you receive.
- You can still see your current specialist doctors if you want to.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
- We can help you find a primary care physician.
- You could get care from one of our doctors in the clinic and the hospital who will get to know you and your medical history.
- You could participate in community and cultural activities that you enjoy, learn new skills and make new friends.
- You could receive home visits from a Community Health Worker who would work with your CCP team to understand and help address your needs.
- You will be part of a study that might improve health care for you and other people.
CONTACT US TODAY
To join the Comprehensive Care Program Study, or for more information,
Call: 773-702-4444
E-mail: ccpresearch@bsd.uchicago.edu
For more information on the Comprehensive Care Program please access the website here
https://ccpprogram.uchicago.edu/
This program is supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Systems for Action (S4A Program)