• Core Principles and Values of Effective Team-Based Health Care
  This Institute of Medicine discussion paper presents the rationale and strategies for implementation of a team-based approach in health care. Examples of best practices, including those in pediatric practice settings, are included and can be used as models for pediatric clinicians and practices looking to implement team-based care.
• Team-Based Care Implementation Strategies
  The Institute for Healthcare Improvement Web site provides examples of strategies to promote and enhance team-based care through team huddles, staff meetings, and production planning meetings. Additional team-based care strategies such as staff cross training and communication are provided.
• Fostering Partnerships and Teamwork in a Pediatric Medical Home: Video Series
  Developed by the National Center for Medical Home Implementation, this three part “how-to” video series provides instructions on multiple team-based care implementation strategies such as team huddles and family engagement.
• Key Elements of Highly Effective Teams
  This article defines team-based care in the context of pediatrics and provides implementation strategies and team member roles. The article, published in Pediatrics,  emphasizes the importance of leadership and open communication with team members, particularly those working to enhance family-centered and coordinated care.
• Team-based Care Implementation: Integrating Frontline Workers into Team-Based Care Models
  This Brookings Institute report provides rationale and strategies for clinical practices to incorporate team-based care. The report focuses on the inclusion of front line workers—which make up over 50% of the health care workforce in the United States—in care delivery models such as the patient-centered medical home.
• Tools for Development and Sustainability of Health Care Teams
  The Safety Net Medical Home Initiatives houses a comprehensive team-based care resource center focusing on assisting practices with implementing and sustaining team-based care. Included are recorded webinars, best practice examples, and a downloadable implementation guide.
• Redesigning Your Work Space to Support Team-Based Care
  This article describes four design elements that primary care practices can implement  to make team-based care more effective and efficient. The article, published in Family Practice Management, provides examples of floor plans from primary care practices as well as model workstation set ups to increase team member communication and improve patient outcomes.
• Team-Based Care Resource Center
  TransforMed, a subsidiary of the American Academy of Family Physicians, provides an online resource center which includes tools and the provision of assistance to clinicians interested in implement patient-centered medical home. In particular, the practice-based team care section provides information on interdisciplinary care teams, staffing, effective communication, and other strategies for team-based care implementation.
• Tips to Improve Care with a Team-Based Model of Care
  The American Academy of Family Physicians developed a collection of videos which discuss different aspects of patient-centered medical homes, including team-based care. The videos provide definitions, strategies for implementation, and case studies from individual practices which can be applied to pediatrics.
• A Roadmap for Patient and Family Engagement in Healthcare
  Families and patients are key members of any health care teams. For pediatric practices, inclusion of families on the health care team is especially important. This patient and family engagement roadmap created in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, presents eight change strategies to increase the engagement of patients and families on health care teams.
• Powerful Partnerships: A Handbook for Families and Providers Working Together to Improve Care
  This National Institute for Children's Health Quality guide provides tools and strategies for families and pediatric clinicians to collaborate as part of a child’s health care team. Emphasis is placed on the importance of families and clinicians serving as equal partners on a health care team in order to improve child health outcomes and enhance family-centered care.

November 2014

• Understanding the Health Care Needs of People with Disabilities
  Friday, November 21, 2014, 2:00 ET
  Join the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC) on this weekly Centers for Medicare and Medicaid assisters’ webinar, which will discuss questions people with disabilities—including families of children with special health care needs—need to think about when they are considering their health care options through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. For more information, visit the NDNRC Web site.

January 2015

• AMCHP 2015: United to Build Healthier Communities
  January 24 – 27, 2015, Hyatt Regency, Washington DC
  Join the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) for its annual conference, bringing together leaders in maternal and child health including state Title V agencies, grantees, and Maternal and Child Health Bureau National Centers.
  Additional Information about the AMCHP 2015 Annual Conference

February 2015

• Blueprint for Success: The Pediatric Medical Home is Here to Stay
  February 6, 2015, Orlando, Florida, Rosen Centre Hotel
  Organized by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this conference will raise awareness about the value of providing patients and families with a pediatric medical home, address common misconceptions, share perspectives on national policy shaping the movement,  enhance the dialogue with insurers/payers, and equip physicians and health care professionals with practical guidance and tools to transform their practice into a medical home.
  Additional Information about the Blueprint for Success Conference

• Fostering Partnership and Teamwork in the Pediatric Medical Home: Webinar Series
  This recorded webinar series hosted by the National Center for Medical Home Implementation provides step-by-step instructions on the implementation of team-based care in pediatric practice through team huddles and various family engagement opportunities.
  Additional Information about the Fostering Partnership and Teamwork Webinar Series

• Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice
  This report discusses definitions and principles of interprofessional collaboration in the health care setting and emphasizes the importance of interprofessional education in order to achieve optimal health outcomes for patients. Four core competencies for this collaboration are presented, emphasizing the importance of team-based care and teamwork in all clinical settings, including pediatric medical homes.
• Team-Based Care as a Strategy to Eliminate Primary Care Physician Shortages
  This article discusses the national problem of primary care physician shortages—including primary care pediatricians— and suggests team-based care as a potential solution. The article, published in Health Affairs, suggests utilization of non-physician professionals such as nurse practitioners and community health workers as members of the medical home team. 
• Implementing Teams in a Patient-Centered Medical Home Residency Practice: Lessons Learned
  Published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine,  this article describes the introduction and implementation of a team-based approach to care in an ambulatory practice. Lessons learned include a need for strong leadership, equal engagement of all team members, and clear communication of vision and goals. Strategies for team-based care implementation including team huddles, team meetings, and the use of non-physician team members are outlined.
• Health Care Teams: Improving Care in Primary Care Practices
  This JAMA article describes five main characteristics of cohesive health care teams. Examples of two best practices in the primary care setting are provided, with insights on how teamwork in this type of a clinical setting improves patient outcomes.
• The Role of Lay Health Workers in Pediatric Chronic Disease
  This review article explores the role of non-physician pediatric professionals such as patient liaisons, community health aids, promotoras, among others, in improving the care provided to children with chronic conditions. Results show potential for improved and cost-effective health outcomes from the inclusion of these professionals on a health care team.

• Strategies to Support Expanded Roles for Non-Clinicians on Primary Care Teams
  This National Academy of State Health Policy report describes strategies implemented in states to develop and sustain non clinician participation on health care teams, including medical assistants, care coordinators, and community health workers. The report suggests that inclusion of these professionals on health care teams within health homes, managed care homes, and accountable care organizations improves practice efficiency and management of patient health.
• Community Health Workers and Children with Special Health Care Needs
  Community Health Workers can play a key role on health care teams, particularly for those caring for patients and families in underserved and vulnerable communities. Published by the National Center for Ease of Use of Community Based Services this report provides insights on how community health workers can improve health outcomes and eliminate health disparities in children and youth with special health care needs.