Patient and Community Engagement

Reverse Innovation & Community Engagement To Improve Quality Of Care & Patient Outcomes (Project Connect)

  • Investigators:      Albert Wu, M.D., M.P.H., Leon Purnell
  • Funder:                Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
  • Status:                 Ongoing

Phase I of Baltimore CONNECT was a cluster randomized controlled trial involving 20 community-based organizations (CBOs) and the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) to improve the coordination of social and health care services in Baltimore. Using a community engagement approach, CBOs were assigned to a co-developed multi-component intervention. The components included: (1) an online toolkit, (2) research assistants, and (3) Meet & Greet sessions. There was an increase over time in the difference in referrals made to intervention CBOs, and outpatient hospital staff reported significantly fewer challenges in contacting and providing information about community resources. Intervention CBO staff and leaders noted that the study enhanced linkages between CBOs and strengthened relationships with JHHS.

In 2017, Baltimore CONNECT became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is working toward a future in which health care entities, social service organizations, and people in the community work together seamlessly to achieve optimum health and well-being for all. Today, CBO and academic partners are focused on four key areas of work: dental health, behavioral health, transportation, and a continued emphasis on care coordination.

Links And Publications:

Read more about Baltimore CONNECT here.

Dadwal V, Basu L, Weston C, Hwang S, Ibe C, Bone L, Boonyasai T, Gentry J, Purnell L, Wu, AW. How “co-developed” are community and academic partnerships? Progress in Community Health Partnerships. 2017. In press.