DMAA Research Initiatives

DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance is the leader in population health quality and research. From its ongoing Outcomes Guidelines Report project to initiatives in physician engagement, obesity and other key topics, DMAA draws broadly on the expertise of its members and external stakeholders to set the standard for industry guides and other resources. Current projects include:

Consensus Guidelines for Measuring Outcomes

DMAA entered 2008 with work well underway for a third volume of its acclaimed Outcomes Guidelines Report, a first-ever, industrywide initiative to establish outcomes measures for population health programs. In December 2006, the report's first volume won praise for its strong scientific foundation and the transparent, broad-based process used to develop it. Volume II, issued in September 2007, added clinical measures to the original document's emphasis on assessing financial performance.

Those clinical measures, developed jointly with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), underscore the DMAA commitment to partnerships with key quality and research stakeholders in the guidelines development process. DMAA continues to collaborate with NCQA, URAC and other health care leaders as work progresses on a third volume of the guidelines.

Quality Improvement

Under a newly created Quality Improvement Steering Committee, DMAA will conduct multiple activities designed to show population health's contributions to high-quality care and to recognize programs that produce improved outcomes.

A Quality Information and Tools work group will compile and disseminate case studies of successful quality improvement-related programs to the industry and external stakeholders. Another work group, Collaboration Development, will identify and reach out to organizations that share DMAA's commitment to quality, particularly in the context of population-based programs. Finally, a Quality Awards work group will identify and periodically recognize population health improvement and disease management programs that demonstrate a commitment to the highest standard of quality care practice.

Also in 2008, DMAA will collaborate with the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations on an obesity toolkit for PPOs.

Physician Engagement and Satisfaction

DMAA has made physician engagement and the contributions of population health to the medical home key elements of its research agenda. To that end, DMAA is developing a survey instrument to gauge provider satisfaction with population health and disease management programs. DMAA hosted three focus groups in collaboration with the American Academy of Family Physicians to better understand attitudes and insights on population health improvement. The Satisfaction Subcommittee of the DMAA Quality and Research Steering Committee is reviewing the focus group results and working with outside experts to draft a survey tool for expected release later in the year.

DMAA conducted a similar initiative in 2006 that resulted publication of its Participant Satisfaction Survey and Usage Guidelines, which has been adopted by major health plans, state Medicaid programs and other significant stakeholders.

Population Health Market Analysis

DMAA has completed a comprehensive survey of the population health community and is preparing a market analysis report for release in 2008. The report, which represents responses from many employer and purchaser stakeholders, will provide not only a snapshot of the state of population health, but a view of purchaser's and provider's current and future investments in prevention and care management programs across the entire care continuum.

Obesity with Co-Morbidities

To raise awareness and improve understanding of the role population health strategies can play in the management of obesity with co-morbid conditions, DMAA launched its Obesity with Co-Morbidities project, with funding from sanofi-aventis.

This initiative, guided by the DMAA Obesity with Co-Morbidities Subcommittee of the Quality and Research Steering Committee, seeks to define and expand understanding of co-morbid obesity; lead development and encourage adoption of best practices for managing the condition; and promote health outcomes research. Work products to date include a definition of obesity with co-morbidities—the first of its kind in chronic disease care—and an extensive guideline literature review conducted by DMAA and NCQA.

In 2008, DMAA will host its third Obesity Management Summit at its 10th Annual Meeting, The Forum 08, Sept. 7 and 8, in Hollywood, Fla.; and develop a Web site to support obesity research and awareness.