A large randomized clinical trial by researchers at Allina Health and at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health found that the addition of laypersons to the primary care team can improve care for some patients with chronic disease at a low cost. The study assigned 2,135 adults with hypertension, diabetes, or heart failure to treatment incorporating a lay “care guide” or to typical care. Care guides involved in the study were laypersons who received brief training about the patients’ chronic diseases and about behavior change techniques. Patients who worked with care guides met more of their disease-specific goals than patients undergoing usual care.