Stratis Health, a leader in transforming the rural health delivery system to improve the quality and value of care, was selected by North Dakota’s Rough Rider High-Value Network to implement the Practicing Primary Care Wisely initiative with the network’s affiliated rural primary care clinics. The project aims to “help give clinicians time back in their day” while improving patient experience, clinical quality, and reducing burnout.

Stratis Health is leading the Practicing Primary Care Wisely project with support from Quality Health Associates of North Dakota and Blue Agilis. The initiative has engaged an American Medical Association (AMA) expert using the AMA STEPS Forward program as a framework for implementation. STEPS Forward focuses on strategies that allow physicians and their organizations to thrive while preventing burnout, such as improving electronic health records (EHR) and time-saving strategies to improve practice efficiency.

Program implementation will include site visits to all participating clinics to assess and prioritize needs, as well as regular coaching support from Stratis Health to support the implementation of strategies to address key points tailored to the needs of each clinic.

“With Stratis Health’s commitment to rural healthcare team well-being, we are uniquely positioned to support success across the Rough Rider Network,” said Jennifer Lundblad, president and CEO of Stratis Health. “We are passionate about improving rural health, and we are deeply familiar with the health care environment in rural North Dakota.”

The Rough Rider High-Value Network was founded on the principle that independent rural hospitals can unite to address challenges and bolster resilience while maintaining their independence. The network includes 23 independent critical-access hospitals, 37 affiliated Rural Health Clinics, and four Federally Qualified Health Centers that have joined clinical and operational fronts to amplify the accessibility, affordability, and quality of care in North Dakota’s rural communities.

“Stratis Health’s decades of experience working with a wide range of rural health care organizations and their reputation as a leader in effectively and efficiently improving rural health aligns so well with our work in pioneering the future of rural health,” said Alfred Sams, Rough Rider president. “We are excited about offering this support to our primary care clinic teams as they continually look for opportunities to improve the health of the communities they serve.”