Assessing the Strengths and Weaknesses for Implementing a Place-Based Model of Care for Older People on the Central Coast, Australia: Results of a Pilot Project Using the Population Health Management Maturity Index (PHM-MI) Tool

Introduction: Population health management is increasingly being used to support place-based models of care. This case study provides an account of the use of the Population Health Management – Maturity Index (PHM-MI) tool to inform the future development of a neighbourhood model of care for older people in the Central Coast region of Australia.

Description: The PHM-MI tool comprises a set of six evidence-informed elements known to be important in enabling PHM in practice. As part of a joint strategic needs assessment, 17 selected stakeholders from key regional organizations were invited to undertake the PHM-MI tool survey. Three follow-up workshops were held to interpret the results and determine priority actions.

Discussion: The PHM-MI scores revealed that the overall maturity of the Central Coast to successfully deliver PHM was low across all six elements, findings that were corroborated through participant workshops. Systemic fragmentations, most pertinently of funding and regulation, incentivised silo-based working. The need to formalise and strengthen regional collaborations, enable data integration, find creative ways to use existing funding streams, and promote community engagement were highlighted as core priorities.

Conclusion: Using the PHM-MI tool was enabled by it being embedded within a pre-existing regional strategic process. The results were used to inform future regional priorities. The PHM-MI tool has the potential for use across regional or national contexts.