Research at The Care Collaborative: Advancing Evidence for Connected, Equitable Care
Mar 5, 2026The research program at The Care Collaborative builds the evidence base for a healthcare system that is more connected, equitable and efficient. Rather than relying on physical expansion, we study how technology-enabled collaboration, particularly asynchronous models and eConsults, expands access to high-quality specialty care.
We don’t just examine communication; we evaluate real-world impact. By analyzing thousands of clinical interactions, we identify treatment patterns, close care gaps and generate insights that inform innovation, reimbursement strategy and national policy.
Optimizing Care Delivery
Our research benchmarks asynchronous specialty collaboration against traditional in-person care to ensure rigorous standards of clinical quality, safety and outcomes. We also quantify economic and equity impacts, measuring reduced travel burdens, lower out-of-pocket costs and improved access for rural and frontier communities.
System-Level Impact
Beyond individual outcomes, we assess how collaborative models reshape healthcare infrastructure. Our multidimensional analyses examine:
- Workforce sustainability: Extending specialist reach without increasing burnout
- Value-based care: Aligning reimbursement with cost-effective, evidence-based outcomes
- Equitable access: Redistributing capacity to high-need regions
By identifying where and when these models achieve peak effectiveness, we provide decision-makers with a strategic framework for scalable, system-wide implementation.
From Evidence to Action
As healthcare faces workforce shortages and geographic disparities, our research positions collaborative technology as foundational infrastructure. We move beyond proof-of-concept to operationalize evidence, ensuring patients receive expertise when and where it’s needed.
“The department’s research does more than study healthcare transformation — it helps build it,” said Nate Koller, eConsults Manager at The Care Collaborative. “By identifying where collaboration improves access and efficiency, the findings enable health systems to redesign care delivery so patients receive expertise when and where it’s needed.”
Learn more about our research and publications.
Want to collaborate on a research project? Email The Care Collaborative.