Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham is investing nearly $400 million over five years into enhancing primary care.
“Primary care is in crisis nationwide as physician shortages, rising administrative burden and accompanying burnout, inadequate reimbursement and overwhelming demand outpaces available resources,” Anne Klibanski, MD, president and CEO of Mass General Brigham, wrote in a May 12 letter to employees that was shared with Becker’s. “We know that we must do more across Mass General Brigham to address these issues. Our vision for the future of primary care is bold, and investing in this future is more important than ever. Strength in primary care strengthens all the care we deliver.”
The system has already implemented AI tools for notetaking and charting, as well as worked to hire more full-time medical assistants and other support staff. Now, the investment is expanding changes to the primary care network:
1. Launch a Population Health Incentive Pool Program designed to recognize high performance and continuous improvement in adult and pediatric primary care practices.
2. Establish a MGB chief of primary care who will lead the primary care strategy and clinical operations systemwide.
3. Deploy team-based virtual and digital tools and provide more resources to practices that serve highly complex patients, patients with social needs and the aging population.
4. Form new partnerships to improve patient access and experience.
5. Add training and education programs.
6. Recognize providers for quality-based performance that improves patient outcomes.
“Together, we will build a future where primary care is strong, innovative and where every clinician feels valued and empowered,” Dr. Klibanski said.
