Many health care and social service organizations have launched or are considering programs focused on providing care and non-medical support for people with complex health and social needs. Yet, while there is increasing research available on the impact of these programs, it can be challenging to understand how to apply this evidence to real-world environments.

Through the Better Care Playbook, the Center for Health Care Strategies recently brought together a virtual panel of innovators in the field to discuss the challenges in applying evidence when designing and refining complex care programs. The panel ― featuring Parinda Khatri, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer, Cherokee Health Systems; Damon Francis, MD, Medical Director, Homeless Health Center at Alameda Health System, Chief Clinical Officer, Health Leads; and Michelle Wong, MPH, MPP, Director, Care Management Institute, Kaiser Permanente ― was presented at the 2021 “Putting Care at the Center” conference, hosted by the Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs.

This blog post shares key themes that emerged from the discussion, based on the panelists’ experience translating research findings into decision making for complex care program design and improvements.