aamc.org does not support this web browser.

    AAMC Project CORE® Playbook

    The AAMC Project CORE® Playbook is a practical, evidence-based resource for health system leaders and implementation teams seeking to improve access to care and strengthen coordination between primary and specialty care. Built on over a decade of implementation experience across more than 60 academic health systems nationwide, it offers a proven framework for designing, launching, scaling, and sustaining an eConsult and enhanced referral program. Health systems can utilize the playbook to support organizational goals around improving access to care, operational efficiency, care coordination, and transition to value-based care models.

    Overview

    This playbook gives clinical and administrative leaders practical guidance, actionable tools, and implementation strategies to build, expand, and sustain an eConsult and enhanced referral program grounded in the Project CORE model.

    Using the playbook, organizations can:

    • Build scalable, sustainable eConsult and enhanced referral programs with clear implementation plans, meaningful metrics, and continuous quality improvement strategies.
    • Improve access to specialty care and shorten wait times through structured eConsult and referral pathways.
    • Strengthen communication and care coordination between primary care providers and specialists.
    • Increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary utilization in both fee-for-service and value-based care environments.
    • Enhance the patient experience by reducing avoidable specialty visits and making care more convenient.

    What’s Included

    Organizations receive 12-month access to the online Project CORE Playbook, including:

    • A downloadable, comprehensive implementation guide covering key strategies from building the ROI case, selecting specialties, identifying eConsultants, and engaging primary care providers to establishing quality improvement processes, setting goals and metrics, and planning for long-term scale and sustainability.
    • Interactive online modules featuring key implementation strategies, pre-implementation assessment questions, common scenarios and solutions, and frequently asked questions.
    • Sample resources for download and adaptation, including project plans, checklists, workflows, benchmarking data, sample templates, metrics, and more.
    • Biweekly communications featuring implementation tips and practical guidance to help teams stay on track and achieve key program milestones.

    Learn How the Playbook Can Support Your Health System

    The following are a few common questions that come up when considering an eConsult program. Explore how the Project CORE playbook can help your health system think through these questions based on your goals and current organization.


    Many health systems decide to implement eConsults only, at the start. This may be due to other referral optimization efforts, team bandwidth, or strategic goals. The Project CORE® playbook provides strategies and best practices for implementing an eConsults program across ambulatory care and other settings.
    Whether your health system is launching or expanding an eConsult program, the Project CORE® playbook offers practical guidance for leaders. It covers engaging specialties and primary care providers (PCPs), identifying eConsultants, developing specialty-specific templates, establishing quality oversight, promoting high-value use cases, and setting program metrics and milestones.
    The overall goal of Project CORE is to improve communication and collaboration between PCPs and specialists by implementing eConsults and improving referrals. The playbook details these strategies including insights for engaging specialties and PCPs, identifying your eConsultants, developing specialty-specific templates for eConsults and referrals, establishing quality oversight and improvement plans, promoting co-management discussions, and developing program metrics and milestones.

    Great! The Project CORE® model recommends implementing and optimizing eConsults and enhanced referrals for your internal providers first and then considering opening to external providers once the program is well established and there is capacity.
    Most Project CORE health systems implement the program first for their internal PCPs and specialists on their shared EHR and then expand to external providers as there is demand and capacity. However, some health systems may implement the program externally first if, for example, the majority of their PCPs are external or community based. This can be achieved through EHR-based tools or other platforms. Whether you are starting internally or externally first, the principles and strategies described in the Project CORE playbook will be applicable to your program.

    Terrific! Executive leadership support is critical to establishing a scalable and sustainable program. The Executive Sponsor for the program will help to align the goals and program with the health systems’ strategic goals, identify and secure protected time for critical team roles, provide financial resources, and ensure strategic support by promoting the program and helping the team to address implementation barriers.
    Before beginning the project, the Project CORE® model recommends identifying a senior leader or sponsor who can help to ensure strategic alignment with other health system priorities and dedicate resources, including a project team, to lead implementation and quality oversight. The senior sponsor is usually a physician leader or executive. The Project CORE playbook will help you to communicate program benefits to key stakeholders at your health system as well as identify key team roles and responsibilities, including recommended FTE for each role.