Dedicated or Shared Centering Space?

John Craine
Major Contributor

Centering offers a better patient care experience, improved health outcomes and lower costs of care.

Posts: 400
My job role is: Staff
I am interested in Centering because: Centering proves that HOW we engage with patients can have a profound impact on their health behaviors and outcomes.

Dedicated or Shared Centering Space? Jul 9, 2015 8:10:07 GMT -5

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Post by John Craine on Jul 9, 2015 8:10:07 GMT -5

Having a dedicated Centering space is ideal but not all practices enjoy this luxury. Is your Centering space dedicated to your Centering practice or is it shared for other uses? What are the challenges with a shared space and how have you tried to address them?

John Craine MS, MBA
Sr. Director of Strategy and Partnerships
Centering Healthcare Institute

Meaghan Combs MD MPH
New Member

Posts: 2
I work at a: Healthcare Facility
My job role is: Healthcare Provider

Dedicated or Shared Centering Space? Feb 4, 2020 16:06:58 GMT -5

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Post by Meaghan Combs MD MPH on Feb 4, 2020 16:06:58 GMT -5

Hello,
We currently have a shared space and are actively pursuing a dedicated space from our health care system.
Are you aware of any data, white papers, or articles highlighting key elements for success of Centering Pregnancy, particularly that includes the correlation between a dedicated space and program success?
I've heard this anecdotally at Advanced Facilitating Training, and would love any data or institutional perspective on the matter.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Meaghan

Tanya Munroe
CHI Staff

Posts: 1,156

Dedicated or Shared Centering Space? Feb 5, 2020 16:59:35 GMT -5

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Post by Tanya Munroe on Feb 5, 2020 16:59:35 GMT -5

Hello Meaghan,

I am not seeing anything in our literature review database but I wonder how else we might help... Maybe your Technical Assistance Manager vjackson2 or Regional Director highlandh can connect you to a nearby site that has a dedicated space and could speak to how that improved their program? We certainly know anecdotally that the two most-likely-to-succeed aspects of Centering are good facilitation and an appropriate, available space for groups. Getting dedicated space is such a huge hurdle and so key for sustainability, however we can help you make the case we are happy to! I hope others chime in as well...

micaharafah
OH - Ohio Centering Network

Posts: 2

Dedicated or Shared Centering Space? Feb 11, 2020 7:19:10 GMT -5

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Post by micaharafah on Feb 11, 2020 7:19:10 GMT -5

Hello,

I created a thread over in the research & eval section. I work with Meaghan and unfortunately, the only organization that has dedicated space in our city is a private institution (read: $$), and we are a federally funded one. In addition, they are an opt-out model. We are connected to them through our Cleveland Centering Coalition and I have already spoken to a couple of our leaders about this.

Access to private space in our clinic can be very competitive, and every week we have multiple sessions (most weeks), I have to talk to admin regarding a conflict for the space we use. The new medical director of the site (a supporter of Centering) said he wants to give us the room, but he needs research on the importance of having a dedicated space that he can use to secure the space for us.

The weekly issues with site admin, combined with room setup/breakdown (our centering supplies are in two different rooms) easily take an additional 5 hours a week. In the meantime I'm expanding our program into another satellite clinic, and the time I have at our clinic will soon become even more limited. Our site does not prioritize OB care; its primary focus is family medicine (the new director is in family medicine, and I believe is trying his best but is hindered by politics). Our main OB Centering provider (and one of the most revered at our institution) is extremely frustrated with the logistical issues we're having, and the Coordinator and I aren't sure how long she will continue Centering.

Any published research on the importance of a dedicated space for any group health care would be appreciated. At this point, it's just important the research is focused on dedicated space in a group health care setting; the field it's in is irrelevant. The goal is to sustain Centering in our site.

Again, thank you for your quick responses, and we appreciate any support you can give.

Micah

smerrell
CHI Staff

Posts: 243

My job role is: Staff

Dedicated or Shared Centering Space? Feb 11, 2020 9:58:09 GMT -5 Tanya Munroe and Wenonah (she/they) like this

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Post by smerrell on Feb 11, 2020 9:58:09 GMT -5

In lieu of published research, would supporting you in developing a business case help? I think we can well document how a dedicated space supports group sustainability, and we could work with you to look at your current number of patients in Centering vs potential.

Margie
Valued Contributor

CHI Consultant

Posts: 120

Dedicated or Shared Centering Space? Feb 14, 2020 13:16:02 GMT -5 Tanya Munroe likes this

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Post by Margie on Feb 14, 2020 13:16:02 GMT -5

In my experience, dedicated Space is a HUGE problem, and here are some thoughts that might be of value as you move forward.

The keys to a thriving Centering Implementation according to Gena Novack's Research includes the presence of three things:

* Inviting and private Group Space

* Administrative support (Ideally someone active and committed on the Steering Committee
}
* A passionate Cheerleader for Centering.

I heard Gena talk and got this from a presentation at ACNM, BUT believe the data might be found in one of Gena's articles in our Bibliography.
I think this is the one.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3498538/

Question: Have I seen a change in space make a difference in enrollment/retention

I cannot say that directly, but I have heard patients say they didn't like group because the space was not private enough.

Or the space was too small, and they didn't like being "so close"to other people .

These are NOT the only issues that impact enrollment and retention, but they can make a difference.

I will ask the Office Managers on my discussion call next month..
In the meantime...

So what does "dedicated group space" give to a site? Some thoughts - I would love to hear what others experience is!

1. Staff does not need to set up every group

2. Staff does not have to transport supplies and equipment

3. Space is always available for Centering so
* Groups can easily be added when enrollment bumps up unexpectedy
* Groups are not BUMPED for other activities
(Happens so often in some sites - shows a lack of knowledge about Centering
4. 5. It shows an Administrative commitment to Centering and this is very reassuring to staff

6. Patients feel special in a comfortable room that they can count on being where they will get care

7. Staff and providers are proud of the comfortable and private space and can relax and welcome patients without apology.

8. The general positivity of the space will help the group relax and feel more comfortable in the space..

9. Centering is more sustainable when there is a dedicated space.

Add your thoughts...
I have also experienced some of the finest Centering in a small space that is not dedicated, but believe it takes a stronger intention and commitment to bringing
good energy to the space .
Thoughts.... ??