--- title: "Pt-centered primary care and use of ambulatory care. | Sutter Health" description: "Pt-centered primary care is associated with reductions in resource use related to both clinic- and patient-level features." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-centered-prim-care-and-use-ambul-care-1055312443" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Pt-centered primary care and use of ambulatory care. # Features of patient-centered primary care and the use of ambulatory care. Wong P, Panattoni L, & Tai-Seale M. _Popul Health Manag. doi: 10.1089/pop.2016.0079. \[Epub ahead of print\] Send to_ 2017-01-11 ## Abstract This study explores the association between patients' use of ambulatory care resources and features of patient-centered primary care (PCPC), specifically clinic-level National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognition of PCPC, continuity of care, and care team communication. Data for this study were compiled from the electronic health records of a large multispecialty group practice in California, covering the period between 2009 and 2010 for 37,042 nonelderly patients under capitated managed care plans. Regression analysis of these data was performed using a generalized linear model, comparing measures of patient-level annual resource use (in total relative value units \[tRVUs\]) against measures of both clinic- and patient-level PCPC, and patient-level risk (eg, age, comorbidities). Patients linked to NCQA Recognition Level III versus Level II clinics used 4.8% (P < 0.001) fewer ambulatory care tRVUs. Patients with a 1 standard deviation increase in primary care continuity used 3.9% (P < 0.001) fewer ambulatory care tRVUs. Patients who switched primary care physicians used 17.4% (P < 0.001) more ambulatory care tRVUs. These results indicate that PCPC is associated with reductions in resource use related to both clinic- and patient-level features. The patient-level associations document within-clinic heterogeneity in PCPC. Based on these findings, practices can be encouraged to perform consistent with high NCQA recognition, promote primary care continuity, and be mindful of differences at an individual patient level. [PubMed abstract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28075702) ## Research topics - [Health Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Services%5C%22%22) - [Medical Informatics](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Medical+Informatics%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Patient-centric scheduling with the implementation of health information technology to improve the patient experience and access to care: retrospective case-control analysis.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-centric-scheduling-with-hit-to-improve-pt-experience-1055312790) Chung S, Martinez MC, Frosch DL, Jones VG, Chan AS. J Med Internet Res. 22(6):e16451. doi: 10.2196/16451. 2020 Jun 10 - Publication ### [Primary care physician practice styles and quality, cost, and productivity.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pcp-practice-styles-and-quality-cost-productivity-1055312774) Luft HS, Liang SY, Eaton LJ, Chung S. Am J Manag Care. 26(4):e127-e134. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2020.42840. 2020 Apr 01 - Publication ### [NIH-Academia-Industry Workshop on Healthcare Intelligence Innovation.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/nih-workshop-healthcare-intelligence-innovation-1055312779) Tai-Seale M. Carnegie Mellon University Silicon Valley campus website. 2010 Oct 04 - Publication ### [The electronic health record audit file: the patient is waiting.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/ehr-audit-file-patient-wait-times-1055312785) Hirsch AG, Jones JB, Lerch VR, Tang X, Berger A, Clark DN, Stewart WF. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2017 Apr 1;24(e1):e28-e34. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocw088. 2017 Apr 01 - Publication ### [Leveraging electronic health records to develop measurements for processes of care.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/leverage-ehrs-to-measure-care-processes-1055312664) Tai-Seale M, Wilson CJ, Panattoni L, Kohli N, Stone A, Hung DY, Chung S. Health Serv Res. 49(2):628-44. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12126. Epub 2013 Nov 18. 2014 Apr 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-centered-prim-care-and-use-ambul-care-1055312443#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Pt-centered primary care and use of ambulatory care."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-centered-prim-care-and-use-ambul-care-1055312443#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Features of patient-centered primary care and the use of ambulatory care.","headline":"Pt-centered primary care and use of ambulatory care.","abstract":"This study explores the association between patients' use of ambulatory care resources and features of patient-centered primary care (PCPC), specifically clinic-level National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognition of PCPC, continuity of care, and care team communication. Data for this study were compiled from the electronic health records of a large multispecialty group practice in California, covering the period between 2009 and 2010 for 37,042 nonelderly patients under capitated managed care plans. Regression analysis of these data was performed using a generalized linear model, comparing measures of patient-level annual resource use (in total relative value units [tRVUs]) against measures of both clinic- and patient-level PCPC, and patient-level risk (eg, age, comorbidities). Patients linked to NCQA Recognition Level III versus Level II clinics used 4.8% (P \u003c 0.001) fewer ambulatory care tRVUs. Patients with a 1 standard deviation increase in primary care continuity used 3.9% (P \u003c 0.001) fewer ambulatory care tRVUs. Patients who switched primary care physicians used 17.4% (P \u003c 0.001) more ambulatory care tRVUs. These results indicate that PCPC is associated with reductions in resource use related to both clinic- and patient-level features. The patient-level associations document within-clinic heterogeneity in PCPC. 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