More Rural Family Medicine Practices Enrolled in Practice Transformation Networks

LEXINGTON, Ky., Nov. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A recent study by researchers at the American Board of Family Medicine found Practice Transformation Networks (PTNs) enrolled a higher proportion of rural family medicine practices than are represented across the general workforce. The variation in state enrollment of family physicians is likely due to a few reasons, including PTNs that are based in closed health systems, a shortened recruitment timeline, and competition from other demonstration projects or related, disqualifying practice affiliations.

The researchers assessed the enrollment of rural practices in PTNs using 2016 Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI) enrollment data and American Board of Family Medicine recertification examination registration data from 2013 to 2016. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) TCPI is one of the largest federal investments to date designed to help clinicians achieve large-scale health transformation and achieve the Triple Aim of improving the patient experience, improving the health of the population, and reducing the costs of healthcare.

Future studies will examine final enrollment and practice characteristics as CMS makes these data available. The complete article can be found at: http://www.jabfm.org/content/31/6/952.full

Correspondence and inquiries should be addressed to: Robert L. Phillips, Jr, MD, MSPH, American Board of Family Medicine, 1648 McGrathiana Pkwy, Suite 550, Lexington, KY 40511. bphillips@theabfm.org

SOURCE American Board of Family Medicine