Medical Homes
Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Definition
A Patient-Centered Medical Home is an approach to providing comprehensive health care where the patient is intently engaged in their health care. Your team PCMH may include nurses, health educators, specialists or any other medical personnel who are ready to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. PCMH puts the patient at the center of the health care system, and provides primary care that is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated and compassionate.
PCMH Benefits to the Patient
Our patient is the most important person in our office and our primary objective is to help you live a long and healthy life. We provide a full range of services and have a highly-trained and knowledgeable staff.
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Strengthens the physician-patient relationship and fosters a personal relationship with your healthcare team
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Eliminates episodic healthcare based on symptoms and illnesses and transforms into coordinated, whole person care
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Enhances care through open scheduling, expanded hours, and fosters communication amongst patients, physicians, and staff
Our Patient-Centered Medical Home Responsibilities to YOU:
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To listen to your questions and concerns and to explain disease, treatment, and results in an easy-to-understand way.
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To coordinate your overall care, sending you to trusted specialists if needed.
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To provide you with same-day appointments whenever possible.
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To provide instruction on how to access the care you need when the office is not open.
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To provide clear instructions about your treatment goals and future plans for every visit.
Your Responsibilities in a Patient-Centered Medical Home are:
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To ask questions and be active in your care.
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To provide your health history, symptoms, and other important information, including any changes in your health.
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To inform us whenever there is a problem with a medication you are taking.
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To call our office first with your health concerns unless it is an emergency.
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To inform us whenever you utilize any other health system such as the emergency room or a self-referral to a specialist.
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To have a clear understanding about your treatment goals and future health goals.
Principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home
Personal Physician – Each patient has an ongoing relationship with a personal physician trained to provide first contact and continuous, comprehensive care. In addition, your personal physician leads a team of individuals who collectively take responsibility for your ongoing care.
Whole Person Orientation – Your personal physician is responsible for providing all your health care needs or taking responsibility for appropriately arranging care with other qualified professionals. This includes care for all stages of life: acute care, chronic care, preventative services, and end of life care.
Integrated and Coordinated Care – Your physician and healthcare team will coordinate your care with other elements of the health care system, such as subspecialty care, hospitals, home health agencies, and nursing homes. They are also equipped to integrate this care with your family and any public or private community services that you may currently use or that may be of benefit to you. Your Patient Centered Medical Home uses a vast array of information technology, registries, health information exchange, etc… to make sure you get the care you need when and where you need it.
Quality and Safety – By centralizing your care in one place, the potential for errors is minimized. Moreover, by putting the focus on you, our patient, the quality of care is enhanced.
Access to Care – Open scheduling, expanded hours and new options for communication between patients, their personal physician and practice staff (e.g. web-based patient portal) makes it easier and quicker to get the care you need