Study Reveals Importance of Collaboration as Federally Qualified Health Centers Tackle Inequities

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06/23/2022 - 08:00 AM

83% of Centers Want an EHR Partner That Can Help Them Stay Independent to Deliver Integrated, Whole Person Care

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NextGen Healthcare, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXGN), a leading provider of innovative, cloud-based healthcare technology solutions, today announced findings of an independent study it commissioned with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) on their journey to deliver quality care to the underserved. The study, conducted by Porter Research on behalf of NextGen Healthcare, garnered data from more than 50 clinical, operational and financial leaders at mid- to large-size FQHCs across the United States. The goal was to better understand the needs of FQHCs as they navigate common pressure points including: workforce shortages, increasing regulatory requirements, expansion of Medicaid, increased variability of patient populations, growth in services, and rapidly evolving payment models.

In the study, more than 83% of FQHCs reported they are fiercely committed to remaining independent of hospital affiliation. Additionally, 72% of participants said they are willing to work with like-minded organizations, including other FQHCs, to attain insight and pool data. The survey results indicate that FQHCs see a critical need to work together to improve health outcomes in communities across the U.S.

“NextGen Healthcare understands the mission of FQHCs and is wholly committed to assisting these community lifelines in retaining their independence,” said David Sides, president and chief executive officer of NextGen Healthcare. “By providing tools that facilitate data sharing, trend analysis and planning, we are already partnering with centers across the country as they transition to the new realities of caring for patients.”

NextGen Healthcare launched the NextGen Community Health Collaborative (NCHC) late last year to create an avenue by which FQHCs can come together. This first-of-its-kind program will offer data benchmarking, comparative analytics and reporting services, and is driven by its members to connect and share best practices to advance the mission of community health.

“It’s essential that FQHCs work together more closely,” said Doug Smith, executive vice president of Presbyterian Medical Services, an FQHC and NextGen Healthcare client. “With greater collaboration, we can better share best practices and approaches to important initiatives like social determinants of health, adverse childhood experiences, chronic condition management, and expanding care service lines.”

The full results of the study will be shared during a webinar titled “The Perfect Storm: Why FQHCs Must Choose Wisely in 2022,” to be held today at 1 p.m. EST. Click here for more information and to register.

Key highlights of the session include:

- The importance of integrated, whole-person care
- Collaboration and data pooling to tackle health inequities
- Understanding the resources available to FQHCs and how to employ them
- Reducing provider burden and burnout through improved workflows and planning

About NextGen Healthcare, Inc.

NextGen Healthcare, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXGN) is a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions. We are reimagining ambulatory healthcare with award-winning solutions that enable high-performing practices to create healthier communities. We partner with medical, behavioral and dental providers in their journey toward whole person health and value-based care. Our highly integrated, intelligent and interoperable solutions go beyond EHR and Practice Management to increase clinical quality and productivity, enrich the patient experience and drive superior financial performance. We are on a quest to achieve better healthcare outcomes for all. Learn more at nextgen.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.