Learning Networks AHRQ Annual Conference Margie Shofer, BSN, MBA Communications Specialist Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Learning Networks Groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis Groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis Set up for the primary purpose of increasing knowledge Set up for the primary purpose of increasing knowledge Some definitions…

Types Similar jobs Practice- based Focused on an initiative or problem Task-based Long-term commitment to build a knowledge domain Knowledge- based

Examples Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO) Learning Network Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO) Learning Network Medicaid Medical Directors Learning Network Medicaid Medical Directors Learning Network

QIO Learning Network Task-based: focused on implementing two AHRQ tools Task-based: focused on implementing two AHRQ tools – decreasing VTEs, improving medication reconciliation QIOs in 16 States, 243 providers QIOs in 16 States, 243 providers – Included 200 hospitals and 43 other providers Activities included in-person meetings, QIO-specific technical assistance calls, national support calls, member extranet Activities included in-person meetings, QIO-specific technical assistance calls, national support calls, member extranet

Successes and Challenges SuccessesSuccesses Training highly rated Training highly rated Implementation in a short period of time Implementation in a short period of time Improved process measures Improved process measures Training highly rated Training highly rated Implementation in a short period of time Implementation in a short period of time Improved process measures Improved process measures ChallengesChallenges Toolkit availability Resource intensive Some dropped out Reliance on toolkit experts National calls less interactive than State ones Toolkit availability Resource intensive Some dropped out Reliance on toolkit experts National calls less interactive than State ones

Lessons Learned Difficult to determine who is ready for intervention during recruitment Difficult to determine who is ready for intervention during recruitment Members will need a lot of technical assistance and support during implementation Members will need a lot of technical assistance and support during implementation Can’t assume that learning will continue once network ends Can’t assume that learning will continue once network ends

Medicaid Medical Directors Learning Network Practice-based: focused on improving quality of care for Medicaid recipients Practice-based: focused on improving quality of care for Medicaid recipients Members represent 46 States and DC Members represent 46 States and DC Operational since November 2005 Operational since November 2005 – Activities include three in-person meetings/year, Web conferences, teleconferences, member extranet, steering committee, group projects

Successes and Challenges SuccessesSuccesses Very engaged with each other and AHRQ Very engaged with each other and AHRQ Product use Product use Group projects Group projects Less turnover Less turnover Very engaged with each other and AHRQ Very engaged with each other and AHRQ Product use Product use Group projects Group projects Less turnover Less turnover ChallengesChallenges Emerging topics

Lessons Learned It can take time to achieve a learning network where exchange is two-way It can take time to achieve a learning network where exchange is two-way Members more likely to use products when they meet a specific need Members more likely to use products when they meet a specific need Need to allow additional time to track product use Need to allow additional time to track product use

Overall Lessons: Learning Networks Learning networks are best when interaction is needed to promote product use and assist with implementation Learning networks are best when interaction is needed to promote product use and assist with implementation Learning networks require members to interact in order to be effective Learning networks require members to interact in order to be effective Learning networks can take time to become successful Learning networks can take time to become successful