Lifestyle Medicine 2015

Improving health behaviors, increasing patient self-management and reducing preference-sensitive surgeries represent key strategies for achieving the Triple Aim and optimizing provider and patient engagement as health care systems move toward an ACO model of care. Building on the AHRQ “Prescription for Health” findings, UPMC has applied Six Sigma tools to optimize a process to support providers in practicing lifestyle medicine. The model focuses on physician initiation with a prescription for healthy behavior change and care engagement, with a referral to a health coach for follow-up support. Building on known best practices, the process has applicability across practice settings (primary and specialty care) and EMR systems as a practical method for physicians to address key drivers of health and cost in population health management, while minimizing patient barriers to accessing support. This case study summarizes the approach, designs, early outcomes and lessons learned for this system-wide innovation.