Certificate program aims to increase efficiency, quality at medical practices

UB’s Millard Fillmore College will offer a distance-learning health care practice facilitator program beginning in February aimed at training individuals to help medical practices evaluate and improve their quality of care.

Developed and supported by the UB Department of Family Medicine, the nationally recognized Practice Facilitator Certificate Program is the only university program of its kind in the nation.

The program was initiated and is directed by Chester M. Fox, professor of family medicine, and a team of experts from across the U.S. It features national leaders in the field of practice facilitation who guide, direct and contribute materials to the course.

“UB is a national leader in practice facilitation training,” Fox says. “We captured a lot of the major leaders in the field, so we have national expertise from all over the country working together.”

Conducted online, the program is available to students throughout the U.S. It allows participants to develop the knowledge and skills to support diverse medical practices in making improvements to clinical and administrative processes by helping primary care practices become patient-centered medical homes or by helping practices with general quality improvements and redesign efforts.

UB’s Practice Facilitator Certificate Program has been nationally recognized by the Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, which cited Millard Fillmore College as an exemplary training program for practice facilitators.

Practice facilitators help primary care practices improve patient health and outcomes by helping them implement new treatments and more effective models of care, and improve patient experience. The demand for individuals with skills in facilitating quality improvement in practice is expected to grow substantially over the next few years as primary care practices look for new ways to better support their communities and patients.

Program requirements include 13 weekly, 90-minute seminars that consist of lectures, virtual discussions and presentations by national experts. In addition, students participate in 40 hours of field work practicum to gain practical experience in the field, and 26 hours of reflective learning.

Classes begin Feb. 11.

The instructor is June Levine, whose professional experience includes executive, managerial and clinical positions with ambulatory practices, acute care and community settings.

The program is presented by Millard Fillmore College, a continuing and professional studies unit that supports and facilitates course delivery. Students must have computer and Internet access with interactive capabilities in order to access the program.

Background in health care-related fields is helpful, but not required; the coursework is appropriate for individuals pursuing a career change and for new graduates looking to add job-transferrable skills.

Tuition is $4,000, and financial assistance may be available. Deadline for registration is Feb. 4.

For information, contact Deborah Kane, program manager, at dkane@buffalo.edu or 716-829-3779, or go to visit the program's web page.