A Practice Coaching Manual

Practice coaching can be an effective way to improve health care quality. This practice coaching manual aims to help effectively and efficiently improve clinical quality in an ambulatory setting by providing an overview of practice coaching and how various settings have used it to improve care, a summary of important characteristics and skills to look for when recruiting or training a practice coach, and a description of a time-limited practice coaching intervention that includes a series of activities, companion agendas, and tools. This practice coaching manual accompanies a comprehensive Web-based toolkit, Integrating Chronic Care and Business Strategies in the Safety Net.

Select to download the print version (PDF file, 270 KB; Plugin Software Help).

Contents

Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: What is Practice Coaching?
    Why Practice Coaching?
    What Roles Do Practice Coaches Play?
    What Do Practice Coaches Do?
    How Is Practice Coaching Structured?
    Who Serves as a Practice Coach?
    Which Practices Benefit From Coaching?
    Does Practice Coaching Work?
    What Makes a Good Practice Coach?
    How Much Does Coaching Cost?
    How Does Coaching Compare to Participating in a Collaborative?
    Successful Coaching Case Study #1
    Successful Coaching Case Study #2
Chapter 3: An Approach to Practice Coaching
    In a Nutshell
    Phase I: Laying the Foundation for Success
    Phase II: Active Practice Coaching
    Suggested Modifications to our Practice Coaching Approach
References
Appendix of Meeting Agendas and Tools
    Example: Practice Team Orientation Call Agenda
    Example: Practice Team Site Visit Preparation Call
    Example: Assessment Day Agenda
    Tool: Clinic Observation Assessment
    Example: Learning Session Agenda
    Tool: The "Change Your Practice" Menu
    Tool: Getting Started Logistics
    Tool: Tell Us What You Think!

AHRQ Publication No. 09-0061-EF