This AHRQ initiative was intended to build the skills of Primary Care Practice Facilitators. AHRQ summarizes it saying “These free, interactive training modules teach some of the skills that practice facilitators use to help primary care practices implement the best evidence and develop quality improvement capacity. While not a comprehensive facilitation training program, the modules will give new facilitators a solid foundation and give experienced facilitators a refresher on specific people and technical skills. In addition, practice facilitators can use parts of these modules to train individuals at the practices to build their own capacity for QI work.”

AHRQ has now launched 10 modules, including an introduction to the Practice Facilitation Training, and covering general subjects like an Introduction to Quality Improvement in Primary Care as well as specific skills and processes like Effective Meetings and Conducting a “Last 10 Patients” Chart Audit. Additional modules beyond the first 10 are under development. Each module lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. Each module introduces a set of skills, shows a scenario demonstrating a practice facilitator using those skills, and provides an opportunity to practice the skills. In video features called “Voices from the field” experienced facilitators talk about real-world work in practices and share helpful hints and tricks. All of the modules are accessible, complying with Section 508 requirements. The modules are all available at no charge, at https://www.ahrq.gov/ncepcr/tools/transform-qi/deliver-faciliation/modules/index.html. Learners can utilize the entire set of modules, select a single module on a subject of interest, or even navigate directly via the module’s menu to a specific topic or section within any module.

AHRQ is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. According to AHRQ’s website, “AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with improving the safety and quality of America’s health care system. AHRQ develops the knowledge, tools, and data needed to improve the health care system and help Americans, health care professionals, and policymakers make informed health decisions.”

Illumina completed the project as a subcontractor to long-time Illumina partner Abt Associates. Abt Associates is a leading social research and policy consulting organization, operating in 50 countries with more than 3,000 staff. Illumina has been working with Abt for almost 15 years, with Illumina providing elearning for projects with many different agencies, including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Corporation for National and Community Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Housing and Urban Development.