Our Projects

In all of our work, we are committed to applying Founding Director Gregory Makoul's notion of “ i nnovation as radical common sense” to help improve primary care practice and, ultimately, both patient-centered care and population health. The following projects are in alignment with this commitment and with our aims .

The Primary Care Office of the Future

The Primary Care Office of the Future is a hands-on demonstration of new practice designs and technology for primary care transformation. The goal of this project is to expose primary care stakeholders to innovative and pragmatic solutions to improve patient care and provider satisfaction.

Click here to take a virtual tour .

Anatomy and Physiology of Primary Care: A Clinical Microsystems Approach

Using a clinical microsystems approach , this research project helps primary care practices assess and improve their structure and function by documenting processes and patterns within the microsystem. Research has been completed at six resident clinics, and four community-based private practices. CIPCI provides ongoing support to help practices with performance improvement and practice redesign.

Patient Architects

CIPCI engages patients from primary care clinics as “architects” to work with primary care practices in redesigning care delivery.

It is no secret that those directly involved in a care process - patients and providers - offer the strongest insights for practice transformation. We designed the Patient Architect project to engage patients in working directly with CIPCI and primary care leaders to redesign care. True practice innovation can only be achieved if patients are actively engaged in the practice redesign process.

Resident Education

CIPCI provides periodic learning sessions for primary care residents to discuss provocative and timely topics. A resident advisory council that represents the various primary care specialties provides input on relevant topics for discussion.

Reverse Integration of Primary Care into Behavioral Health

In this project with Wheeler Clinic , CIPCI embedded primary care within a behavioral health clinic (rather than the other way around) for patients with severe mental illness with or without co-existing substance use disorders. In addition to care, this project involves inter-professional education and the development of a registry.

Value Measurement for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Care

CIPCI is working with Michael Porter and Robert Kaplan at Harvard Business School on measuring both outcomes and cost associated with the current model of delivering care for CHF patients versus an Integrated Practice Unit that will be designed around patient needs. The current model, involving primary care, CHF clinic, specialists, the Emergency Department, and hospital are undergoing process-mapping.

Emergency Medicine - Primary Care Coordination

The goal of this project is to improve health through a value-oriented approach that coordinates care across the emergency medicine – primary care continuum. CIPCI is working in both Hartford, CT and Hanover, NH with clinical leaders, care coordinators, patients, community groups, and administrators on this project. A major focus is on improving coordination of care - and coordinating the coordinators - for high utilizers of the ED.

Inter-Professional Education

CIPCI is working to identify and implement the most productive way to approach inter-professional education. Our focus is on education about practice transformation.

Outreach

One of CIPCI’s aims is to serve as a trusted partner and resource for primary care providers, so outreach is an ongoing effort. CIPCI has compiled a database of practicing primary care providers in Connecticut and networks with providers at national meetings. By offering events, CIPCI also serves as a venue for provocative and productive discussion about issues and evidence relevant to primary care transformation.

Primary Care Innovation Forums

CIPCI hosts discussions that feature interactive presentations from leaders in primary care. Learn about past and upcoming Innovation Forums on our News + Events page .