South Kingstown, RI – December 12, 2013.  In November of 2013, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a document titled “Health Assessments in Primary Care: A How-to-Guide for Clinicians and Staff.” Health assessments have been used primarily in work settings. As they are now moving into primary care, AHRQ states that they “will require broader adoption and better implementation including assessment, review, feedback, and follow-up support for patients.” For the full report, please visit http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/prevention-chronic-care/improve/system/health-assessments/health-assessment-intro.html.

Pro-Change’s Health Risk Intervention, which is a Health Risk Assessment plus Intervention, and the resulting Clinical Dashboard can help primary care practices to:

  • Improve relationships with patients by using the data from validated health assessment measures to stimulate dialog
  • Help clinicians and patients identify and prioritize health issues and goals
  • Give evidence-based, stage-matched short behavior change messages
  • Track patient health risk behaviors over time
  • Identify risks requiring patient referral to additional resources
  • Measure and monitor patient data at the practice/population level for proactive, planned care
  • Fulfill Medicare requirements for and generate revenue from incentives programs and national guidelines

For a description of Pro-Change’s Health Risk Intervention (which is presently under AHRQ review for accreditation), go to http://www.prochange.com/health-risk-assessment-intervention and to view a description of our Clinical Dashboard, please visit http://www.prochange.com/for-doctors-and-health-professionals.

About the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
AHRQ’s mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. As one of twelve agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, AHRQ supports research that helps people make more informed decisions and improves the quality of health care services. For more information, please visit www.ahrq.gov.