What is a Patient-Centered Medical Home?
A Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a comprehensive model of care focused on strengthening the relationship between patients and their physicians. Patients are active participants in their care, and the primary care physician serves as the “home” or office where patients go for the majority of their medical needs. The medical home focuses on a coordinated, team approach to care. Your primary care physician, specialists, and you communicate working towards a common goal through the utilization of patient counseling, lifestyle changes, education, and management of chronic conditions. The patient is the most important part of the patient-centered medical home.
Definitions
Patient-centered: supports patients in learning to manage and organize their care at the level they choose and ensures that patients and families are fully informed partners in developing care plans.
Comprehensive: a team of care providers is wholly accountable for a patient’s physical and mental health care needs, including prevention and wellness, acute care, and chronic care.
Coordinated: ensures that care is organized across all elements of the broader health care system, including specialty care, hospitals, home health care, and community services and supports.
Accessible: delivers accessible services with shorter waiting times, same-day access, enhanced in-person hours, 24/7 electronic or telephone access, and alternative methods of communication through health IT innovations.
PCMH Links