Effective Facilitator Strategies for Supporting Primary Care Practice Change: A Mixed Methods Study.

Purpose: Practice facilitation is an evidence-informed implementation strategy to support quality improvement (QI) and aid practices in aligning with best evidence. Few studies, particularly of this size and scope, identify strategies that contribute to facilitator effectiveness.

Methods: We conducted a sequential mixed methods study, analyzing data from EvidenceNOW, a large-scale QI initiative.

Use of Quality Improvement Strategies Among Small to Medium-Size US Primary Care Practices.

Purpose: Improving primary care quality is a national priority, but little is known about the extent to which small to medium-size practices use quality improvement (QI) strategies to improve care. We examined variations in use of QI strategies among 1,181 small to medium-size primary care practices engaged in a national initiative spanning 12 US states to improve quality of care for heart health and assessed factors associated with those variations.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, practice characteristics were assessed by surveying practice leaders.

Childhood Obesity in an Inner-City Primary Care Population: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: Understanding the dynamics of obesity among children and adolescents in high-risk, low-income patient populations is critical to guide and evaluate appropriate clinical and public health interventions.

Methods: We identified a cohort of 472 predominantly low-income, minority pediatric patients aged 3-18 years with baseline measurements in 2010 and analyzed follow-up data through September 2013. Weight status at baseline and end of follow-up were ascertained.

Recognition and Management of Elevated Blood Pressure in Pediatric Patients: Challenges and Disparities in Community Health Centers.

The prevalence of childhood elevated blood pressure (EBP)-a single blood pressure recording above the normal range-is increasing in the United States. Recognizing childhood EBP is difficult because classification is a function of age, sex, and height. We assessed the frequency of clinical recognition of EBP and follow-up care in a sample of pediatric patients seen in 2010 and followed up through September 2013 in a network of 8 urban health centers.