Definition: Quadruple Aim is the expansion of the Triple Aim (enhancing patient experience, improving population health, and reducing costs) to include an additional goal of improving the work life of health care providers.¹ Organizations view this expansion in different ways, but the Institute for Healthcare Improvement calls this new aim “Joy in Work.”¹ Many health care organizations have adopted the framework of the Triple Aim, but the stressful work life of clinicians and staff has proven to play a large role in the ability to achieve and maintain the 3 aims. In primary care, the adoption of the Triple Aim has enhanced the patient experience, but resources are lacking to help providers and staff maintain these overarching goals. Professional burnout and reduced job satisfaction have hindered the ability of providers and staff to provide quality care.² Therefore, a fourth aim focusing on the improvement in work life of clinicians and staff has been proposed to create a more symbiotic relationship between patients and health care providers.

According to CDC, SDOH are “conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health and quality-of-life-risks [sic] and outcomes.”¹ These factors can impact patient access to and understanding of health care. They may also impact the extent to which a patient or population is able to engage in their health care and healthy living.

According to CMS, "value-based programs reward health care providers with incentive payments for the quality of care they give to people with Medicare."¹ Value-based programs support CMS' three-part aim, a strategy that targets improved health care at an individual level, improved health of the population, and lower costs.