HomePilots & Projects National Demonstration Project NDP Background NDP Selection Process

NDP Participant Selection Process

Applications for the National Demonstration Project (NDP) were available December 14, 2005 – January 31, 2006. AAFP members were notified about the application by email, via online AAFP publications, and by a mailing to active members and third year residents.

A TransforMED Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprised of family physicians and healthcare leaders evaluated the practice applications and recommended practices. A total of 538 applications were received, of which 337 were complete. From this the final 36 were selected for participation in the project.

The practices selected for participation in the National Demonstration Project were publicly announced in April 2006.

The 36 pilot projects include a wide variety of practice types and sizes, reflective of the diversity in family medicine practices across the country. Practices were selected to maximize diversity in a number of areas:

• practice size
• age of the practice
• location
• patient population
• ownership
• arrangement
• revenue
• degree to which the practice may have already implemented components of the TransforMED Medical Home Model

The selection process also attempted to identify geographic clusters of practices that met the aforementioned criteria to facilitate group learning. All practices chosen to participate demonstrated a commitment to transformative practice change and collaborative learning.

Practices also had to be willing to participate in the following to be considered for the National Demonstration Project:

• Implementation. A firm commitment to implement all components of the new model during the 24-month demonstration project, and to participate in the evaluation, shared learning and dissemination of what is learned.
  
• Evaluation. A commitment to actively participate in an evaluation process.  The information needed for the evaluation is also needed to tailor the new model implementation to the unique characteristics of each practice.  Practice Enhancement Facilitators will work with practices both to gather information for this evaluation and to assist practices with developing and implementing an individualized plan for implementing the new model.  Practices had to be willing to commit the time and energy to participate in this evaluation.  Practices will be visited by a research nurse who will conduct medical record reviews and distribute patient and staff surveys to assess outcomes from the New Model.
  
• Dissemination.  Practices had to agree to be featured in ongoing process dissemination of learning from the process of practice transformation.  This will involve being featured in case studies in the TransforMED website and other venues.  Additional dissemination through the scientific literature will not name specific practices without permission, but because of the small number of practices participating, practices may be identifiable.
  
• Staff.  Participating practices committed to providing necessary staff time to participate in the NDP evaluation, including a lead physician and staff member who will be expected to:
  
  • Lead regular practice meetings (with and without the TransforMED Practice Enhancement Facilitators) to guide the transformation process
    
  • Meet with TransforMED consultants and/or evaluators as required to ascertain new model progress
    
  • Participate in conference calls, video conferences, emails and Web message boards to discuss best practices with other participating NDP practices.