Typically, hospitalized patients are seen by hospitalists while primary care doctors provide general outpatient medical care in clinics. Unfortunately this lack of continuity in care does not always bring optimal outcomes, particularly for some of the most vulnerable patients.

The Health Lab is conducting a large-scale study to test whether people at high risk for hospitalization have improved care, attain better health outcomes, and face lower costs when they receive care from the same doctor in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Preliminary findings suggest the approach causes dramatic decreases in costs and significant improvements in health outcomes. The Health Lab is in discussions with prospective partners in several key U.S. cities about plans to scale this approach.