What is a Collaborative?

A collaborative is a quality improvement process where 15-40 medical teams work to measure and improve the quality of care in their practices during a project period of one or two years.

• The collaborative takes a team approach to quality improvement, rather than focusing only on the doctor-patient relationship.
• Teams have at least three health professionals. Senior management support is critical to success.
• The team commits to work on measurable improvements to quality.
• Participants learn from the experience of other clinics enrolled in the collaborative. At group sessions, teams develop knowledge and skills. They learn about current research and successes in other places.
• Between learning sessions, coaches visit medical offices and host monthly telephone and web conferences. Teams share their results at an outcomes session at the end of the collaborative.
• Teams are encouraged to make changes that will continue after the collaborative ends.

The goal is to improve health for patients and improve the experience of care for patients, families, and the clinic employees.

Learn more about the 2009-2011 Washington State Patient Centered Medical Home Collaborative (PDF, 110KB)