How might Cityblock enhance its community health worker program to more effectively address social determinants of health?

Introduction

To enhance Cityblock's community health worker program and more effectively address social determinants of health, we need to take a comprehensive approach that considers the unique challenges and opportunities in community healthcare. I'll outline a strategy that focuses on improving the program's efficiency, expanding its reach, and maximizing its impact on community health outcomes.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (5 mins)

• Looking at Cityblock's model, I'm thinking about the scope of their current community health worker program. Could you provide more information on the program's current size, geographic coverage, and the typical caseload for community health workers?

Why it matters: Determines the scale of our improvement efforts and potential for expansion Expected answer: Program covers 5 major cities with 200 community health workers, each managing 50-75 cases Impact on approach: Would focus on scalability and efficiency improvements if the program is already large, or expansion strategies if it's still small

• Considering the social determinants of health, I'm curious about the primary issues Cityblock's program is currently addressing. What are the top 3-5 social determinants that the community health workers are focusing on most frequently?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize which areas to enhance or expand in the program Expected answer: Housing instability, food insecurity, and lack of transportation are the top issues Impact on approach: Would tailor solutions to these specific areas and consider adding new focus areas if gaps are identified

• Given the importance of data in healthcare, I'm wondering about Cityblock's current data collection and analysis capabilities. How are community health workers currently tracking their interactions and outcomes, and what kind of insights is the organization able to derive from this data?

Why it matters: Identifies potential areas for improvement in data-driven decision making Expected answer: Basic electronic health record system, limited analytics capabilities Impact on approach: Would prioritize enhancing data infrastructure and analytics tools to improve program effectiveness

• Thinking about the broader healthcare ecosystem, I'm interested in Cityblock's partnerships. Can you share information about any current collaborations with local healthcare providers, social services, or community organizations?

Why it matters: Helps understand the potential for expanding the program's impact through partnerships Expected answer: Some partnerships with local hospitals and a few community organizations, but room for growth Impact on approach: Would focus on strengthening and expanding partnership network to create a more comprehensive support system