Interprofessional Student Hotspotting: Impact of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) on Complex Patients

Individuals with complex health and social needs drive much of the total cost of care, accounting for nearly 50% of annual costs. Studies show that patients’ use of community health centers is associated with lower health care costs, less frequent use of emergency departments, and fewer preventable hospitalizations, compared to patients who do not use the health centers. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) provide patients with medical homes where they can build ongoing, personal relationships with treatment teams, resulting in continuous, comprehensive and integrated care.Additionally, addressing these individuals' needs and decreasing costs requires interprofessional teams to engage with communities with high utilization rates. Training students of the health professions in the hotspotting approach will reduce utilization and costs.Student Hotspotting is an educational curriculum originally developed by the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers to improve delivery of care for complex patients. This program facilitates teams of interprofessional students learning about the challenges faced by complex patients during their interactions with the current healthcare system. The curriculum focuses on the COACH framework as a means to empower patients to address their health needs effectively.