"Care Coordination Fundamentals" for Healthcare Workers Released by 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds, PCDC

Addressing the need for improved coordinated care in healthcare delivery systems, the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds and the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) today released the "Care Coordination Fundamentals" course for healthcare workers. The course is designed to help healthcare workers understand and participate in new and advanced models of healthcare delivery. 

Healthcare systems are increasingly seeking to improve care coordination to improve healthcare quality and outcomes and reduce costs. To accomplish this, healthcare staff will need to serve as a bridge between patients and providers. "Care Coordination Fundamentals" can provide health care staff with the advanced skills and training necessary, particularly in patient navigation and care coordination. 

"The new health care environment emphasizes team-based, coordinated care, where every member of the staff will be involved in patient care in some way," said Karla Silverman, MS, RN, CNM, PCDC's Director of Clinical and Training Initiatives, who co-authored the course. "Where in the past silos grew up around different staff roles, today, every member of the team is important and must be accountable to each other to ensure that patients get the best care possible." 

The course covers the issues every healthcare worker who provides works with patients and providers should know, including: chronic disease issues, mental health and wellness concerns, communication skills, health coaching and follow up, coordinating care transitions, electronic medical records and quality improvement. The course can also help healthcare organizations understand what training is needed for front line staff who are taking on more responsibility in the new patient centered, team based model of care.