Bringing community oriented primary care into an academic training setting: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: Identify patient-informed strategies through which an urban resident continuity clinic can implement the principles of community oriented primary care (COPC). METHODS: As part of a larger sequential mixed methods study supporting implementation evaluation of a new urban academic medical center in Cleveland, Ohio, semi-structured telephone interviews using a descriptive phenomenological approach were conducted spring 2021 with patients to explore perspectives regarding community involvement by healthcare providers and what they want clinicians to know about their community. A constant comparative analysis of emerging themes was used to analyze the thematic contents of interviews. RESULTS: Twenty-one participants completed interviews. Almost all thought clinicians’ community involvement is important. Thematic guidance from participants highlighted that clinicians should be: (1) knowledgeable about the Black experience, (2) seen in the community outside the clinic, and (3) aware that “knowing my community is knowing me.” CONCLUSIONS: Design with a target community in mind is a necessary but not sufficient step to implement COPC in practice. The visibility of clinicians in community settings is essential for COPC.