Learning NetworksAHRQ Annual Conference

Margie Shofer, BSN, MBACommunications Specialist

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Learning Networks

Groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis

Set up for the primary purpose of increasing knowledge

Some definitions…

Types

• Similar jobsPractice-based

• Focused on an initiative or problemTask-based

• Long-term commitment to build a knowledge domain

Knowledge-based

Examples

Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO) Learning Network

Medicaid Medical Directors Learning Network

QIO Learning Network

Task-based: focused on implementing two AHRQ tools – decreasing VTEs, improving medication

reconciliation QIOs in 16 States, 243 providers

– Included 200 hospitals and 43 other providers

Activities included in-person meetings, QIO-specific technical assistance calls, national support calls, member extranet

Successes and Challenges

Successes Training highly rated Implementation in a

short period of time Improved process

measures

Challenges Toolkit availability Resource intensive Some dropped out Reliance on toolkit

experts National calls less

interactive than State ones

Lessons Learned

Difficult to determine who is ready for intervention during recruitment

Members will need a lot of technical assistance and support during implementation

Can’t assume that learning will continue once network ends

Medicaid Medical Directors Learning Network

Practice-based: focused on improving quality of care for Medicaid recipients

Members represent 46 States and DC Operational since November 2005

– Activities include three in-person meetings/year, Web conferences, teleconferences, member extranet, steering committee, group projects

Successes and Challenges

Successes Very engaged with

each other and AHRQ Product use Group projects Less turnover

Challenges Emerging topics

Lessons Learned

It can take time to achieve a learning network where exchange is two-way

Members more likely to use products when they meet a specific need

Need to allow additional time to track product use

Overall Lessons: Learning Networks

Learning networks are best when interaction is needed to promote product use and assist with implementation

Learning networks require members to interact in order to be effective

Learning networks can take time to become successful