Table 2 Recommended Approaches to Engaging Physicians and Medical Directors in Quality Improvement
Approaches implemented by nursing home providers | Â |
• | Identify a physician champion in the nursing home that could involve other physicians in improving the systems of care that physicians impact directly |
• | Implement pre-printed fax-back forms to physicians that include all fields of information required by physician, relevant to various clinical topics (e.g., pain), to enhance communication between physician and nursing home staff |
• | Involve local hospice to provide training on pain management to physicians and nursing home staff |
Approaches implemented by QIO staff | Â |
• | Offer training session to medical directors on the role of the medical director in nursing home quality improvement |
• | Write column in monthly newsletter to providers on the role of the medical director and attending physicians in nursing home quality |
• | Offer coaching to nursing home staff on how to give physicians the information they need to make a decision |
• | Partner with the local chapter of the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) to advocate for involvement in quality improvement among medical directors and physicians |