Aligning Forces for Quality Evaluation
A field analysis of the progress and impact of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's 15-community initiative to improve health care quality
Funder: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Grant Period: 03/01/06 - 10/31/11
The Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) initiative is a long-term, comprehensive effort to provide resources, expertise and training focused on accelerating quality improvement in 15 communities across the nation and is the signature program in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's $300 million commitment to improve the quality of U.S. health care. The AF4Q Evaluation project, based here at Penn State, will provide impartial research and evaluation expertise for the AF4Q initiative. Particular emphasis will be placed on measurable progress in the realms of consumer engagement, quality improvement and public reporting, and disparities reduction.
The Aligning Forces for Quality Evaluation team will research and provide constructive feedback on efforts to align incentives across the various stakeholders in each market. The overall objectives of the evaluation will be to:
- Chronicle and document the activities of the AF4Q communities
- Understand the impact of these activities
- Identify key barriers and facilitators of AF4Q community success
- Document and communicate lessons learned for purposes of dissemination to other communities
- Make suggestions to the RWJF/NPO regarding program activities including technical assistance or other needs
- Provide valuable feedback and data to sites for formative purposes
Highlights of the AF4Q Evaluation effort will include ongoing Key Stakeholder Interviews, the Alliance Survey, the Consumer Survey, the National Survey of Small and Medium-Sized Physician Practices (NSSMPP) and implementation of a comprehensive public reporting tracking system.