Patient-centered "medical homes" to increase in 2015

Many doctors' offices across the country have a resolution for the New Year: switching to a team-based model of care called the patient-centered medical home, reports the January 2015 Harvard Health Letter.

"It's the highest and best version of primary care, specifically designed to take care of people's preventive needs as well as complex chronic conditions," says Susan Edgman-Levitan, executive director of the John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

The patient-centered medical home model turns a doctor's practice into a physician-led team that helps patients meet their health goals by getting to know them, developing long-term treatment plans for them, focusing on prevention, educating them about how to reach their goals, and coordinating care with other specialists if necessary. The team must be available, at least by telephone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Several national accreditation programs hold the team accountable to these high standards.

The patient-centered medical home concept was introduced by the American Academy of Pediatrics in the 1960s and took off in the late 2000s among family practice and internal medicine doctors. Since then, thousands of doctor's offices have made the switch. Employers are driving the change because they know this model provides high-quality and efficient care for their workers and reduces care people don't need. "Also doctors know it decreases burnout among physicians and staff," says Edgman-Levitan. "They've now got a team of people helping them do their job better."

Read the full-length article: "New year, new approach to health care"

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss...from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

BONUS! Sign up now and
get a FREE copy of the
Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.