The Primary Care Transformation Executive (PCTE) Fellowship: An Interprofessional Leadership Development Program to Advance Health Equity
Background, including statement of problem, and aims -
Advancing health equity requires collaboration among interprofessional stakeholders. However, the structure and function of some healthcare systems can create barriers to effective collaboration and interprofessional practice and education. The Primary Care Transformation Executive (PCTE) Fellowship at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) provides professional development and opportunities for interprofessional collaboration to practicing primary care clinicians who want to enhance their leadership skills and engage in transforming the healthcare landscape.
Design or methodology -
The PCTE Fellowship is a 1 year, professional development program designed to assist practicing primary care physicians and physician assistants with developing and refining the knowledge and skills required to lead healthcare reform in community health centers. The PCTE Fellowship curriculum incorporates guided self-study delivered through a learning management system, monthly live virtual sessions, interactive didactic sessions, coaching, and mentoring. Each fellow develops and implements a healthcare transformation project based upon the needs of their community health center during the fellowship. Following completion of the fellowship, participants are invited to join a Leadership Academy (LA) to support ongoing growth and skills development.
Results (data, outcomes and evidence) -
By September 2021, 16 fellows will have completed the PCTE Fellowship. Learner assessment has demonstrated perceived improvement in multiple curricular domains such as Interprofessional Practice, Quadruple Aim, and Change Agency. The program fellows have successfully integrated core curricular concepts into the development and implementation of healthcare transformation projects addressing areas of disparity such as chronic disease management, colorectal cancer screening, healthcare access, vaccine hesitancy, and workforce development. These projects have been implemented in community health centers that provide primary care services to vulnerable populations. The PCTE Fellowship also offered opportunities for interprofessional collaboration through networking sessions and support for scholarly dissemination of work to organizations across multiple disciplines.
Conclusions -
The Primary Care Transformation Executive Fellowship has been successful in improving proficiency in knowledge and skills required for healthcare transformation. Professional development programs such as PCTE Fellowship can serve as valuable tools to promote health equity through active engagement in interprofessional education, leadership, and practice.
Reflections/lessons learned/implications -
The future leaders of interprofessional healthcare teams and systems are passionate about improving and transforming the delivery of healthcare. Ensuring these leaders have adequate time and support for skill and knowledge development is essential to achieving this goal.
