Question

Your HCO has developed contractual affiliations with several primary care physician groups and is integrating them as a primary care service line. Several of the physician leaders approach you, saying that they would like to move toward implementing the patient-centered medical home concept. Make a checklist of questions you need to think about before you respond and note key talking points for the conversation

Answer 1

The patient centered medical home is a promising model for transforming the organization and delivery of primary care. It is a model in which care is coordinated by primary care physician who ensures that the necessary care is provided when and where they need it and in the manner they can understand.Before implementating the concept of patient centered medical home following things should be considered:

1. What are the goals and objectives of the concept?
2. Who will be included as team members?
3. Who will be stakeholders?
4. Which recognitions and accreditation has to be achieved before implementing the concept?
5. What communication methods can be used to foster healthy patient participation?
6. Who will be the practice facilitators?
7. How to link the information and technology for better patient outcome?
8. What are the measures to encouarge community participation?
9. What will be standards of care and quality management?

In order to implement the patient centered medical home concept, the conversation should include the following topics:

• Identify the mission and vision of the institution.
• Establishing a diverse team of care providers to render comprehensive care. Identify skill and competent staff ready to contribute their efforts and services in patient centered medical home
• Cultural competency training for the team members are they have to deal with diverse population.
• Communication channels, methods and transition of care at a multisectoral level.
• Accessibilty of health information, its limitation, privacy and authorizations.
• Committment to quality and quality improvement.
• Identifying the stakeholders, financial supports and other agencies which will assist in establishing medical home.
• Identify the practice facilitators who will work with the primary care practices to make meaningful changes with a goal of improving quality and outcome of care.
• Recognition and accreditation required to implement this concepts.
• Centralized setting for the patients to seek medical services.
• Information technology advancements for health information exchange.