Healthy Here: A Promising Referral System Model for Community–Clinical Linkages to Prevent Chronic Disease

Abstract

Linking clinical services to community-based resources is a promising strategy for assisting patients with chronic disease prevention and management. However, there remains a gap in understanding how to effectively develop and implement community–clinical linkages (CCLs), especially in communities of color. The Healthy Here initiative used Stage Theory of organizational change to implement a centralized wellness referral system, linking primary care clinics to community organizations in majority Hispanic/Latinx and Native American communities. Data were collected using a standardized referral form. Facilitators and challenges were identified through semi-structured discussions with partner organizations. Between 2016 and 2021, 43 clinics and 497 health care providers made 7,465 referrals, the majority of which were from the focus populations. The average proportion of patients referred by clinic champions decreased significantly over time, reflecting diffusion of the intervention within clinics. Facilitators to system success included building on existing networked partnerships, utilizing a centralized referral center, leveraging funding, sharing data, addressing challenges collectively, incorporating multilevel leadership, and co-developing and testing a standardized referral form and process with a single clinic and provider before scaling up. Challenges included funding restrictions, decreasing referrals within clinics over time, changing availability of resources and programs, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This innovative initiative demonstrates that CCLs can be developed and implemented to successfully reach Hispanic/Latinx and Native American communities and provides strategies for overcoming challenges.