CHICAGO — Excellent examples of transformational medical practice solutions were recognized today as the American Medical Association (AMA) and Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) announced the five top proposals submitted to their joint Practice Innovation Challenge. The proposals offer innovative strategies that will help physicians and their staff thrive in the new health care environment.

Launched last June, the Practice Innovation Challenge provided an opportunity for out-of-the-box thinkers to showcase their solutions for helping physicians and their medical practices adapt to the changing health care landscape. Five proposals were selected from among numerous entries as showcasing the most high-value; easy-to-adopt solutions that can help improve efficiency in a medical practice and enhance patient care.

"This partnership with AMA highlights the capabilities of MGMA's most innovative members," said President and CEO of MGMA Halee Fischer-Wright, M.D. "It's a testament to what's possible when medical practices get recognized for being stronger, more aligned and competitive in an ever-changing health care landscape."

The sponsors of the five top medical practice solutions include:

Asante Physician Partners, Medford, Oregon
Patient-centered New Patient Process
A streamlined patient registration process that provides complete and accurate information on new patients while substantially cutting administrative costs.

Center for Excellence in Primary Care at the University of California, San Francisco
Health Coaching
A proactive model for engaging with patients in collaborative health action plans that saves physicians time while enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Stanford University, Stanford, California
The Letter Project
A catalyst for overcoming language barriers with patients and providing accessible written information in numerous languages that can facilitate end-of-life planning discussions with a physician.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
Building a Medical Home-based Care Transition Team
A team approach to preventable drug therapy problems that decreased hospital readmissions in targeted patients.

Vanguard Medical Group, Montclair, New Jersey
Medical Assistant In-service Education
An interactive education curriculum that improves the performance of medical assistants as an important member of the team-based care model.

Each sponsor will earn a $10,000 prize and the opportunity to develop an educational module with the AMA & MGMA to be shared with practices across the country via the AMA's STEPS Forward™ platform. This interactive online hub currently offers a collection of 26 online educational modules, including 10 new modules just added this month, to help address common practice challenges in key areas such as: burnout, telemedicine, team-based care, revenue cycle management, practice design and more. The modules also include steps for implementation, case studies and downloadable videos, tools and resources.

"Physicians looking to refocus their practice in response to an evolving health care environment can turn to AMA STEPS Forward for proven strategies to help confront common challenges in busy medical practices and devoting more time to caring for patients," said AMA President Steven J. Stack, M.D. "The top entries from the Practice Innovation Challenge will be valuable additions to Steps Forward that will help the AMA and MGMA spread new practice transformation tactics to practices across the country."

AMA STEPS Forward is the latest initiative in the AMA's ongoing strategic commitment to lead and advance the delivery of high-quality and affordable health care. "From revitalizing medical practices to ensuring that digital health helps to provide high-quality patient care, our goal is to help physicians navigate and succeed as health care continues to rapidly evolve," said. Dr. Stack.

To learn more about AMA STEPS Forward, visit https://www.stepsforward.org/.