MAs’ Perceptions of Control Over Population Health Measures (N = 57)
| Population Health Measurea | No Control, No. | A Little Control, No. | Moderate Control, No. | A Lot of Control, No. | Complete Control, No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye examination in diabetic patients | 7 | 16 | 25 | 5 | 3 |
| BMI screening | 2 | 3 | 13 | 6 | 32 |
| Controlling high blood pressure | 4 | 8 | 24 | 9 | 10 |
| Screening for depression | 2 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 25 |
| Use of imaging for low back pain | 35 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Influenza vaccination | 0 | 3 | 8 | 24 | 21 |
| Tobacco screening | 0 | 2 | 4 | 22 | 29 |
| Breast cancer screening | 6 | 10 | 20 | 14 | 6 |
| Colorectal cancer screening | 3 | 14 | 23 | 11 | 5 |
| Pneumococcal vaccination for adultsb | 0 | 3 | 14 | 21 | 18 |
| Good control of A1c in diabetic patients | 5 | 16 | 18 | 9 | 8 |
BMI = body mass index; MA = medical assistant.
Note: Values are numbers of MAs.
↵a These measures were selected because of their inclusion in a national pay-for-performance program, ready measurability using the population health software at 2 organizations (Healthy Planet, Epic Systems), relative commonality across institutions, and diversity in associated disease and clinician roles involved in improving the measure. For example, physicians are expected to control placing imaging orders for low back pain,35 so this measure is included as a comparator.
↵b Although pneumococcal vaccination guidelines call for multiple doses,36,37 achieving the national measurement is based on a single dose; thus, vaccinations can also be considered a specific type of same-day measure, although they are analyzed independently.