The PCMH model is a new approach to primary care that uses a team approach. Each patient is assigned their own "care team" that includes a physician, nurse, medical assistant and medical receptionist, at a minimum. This team works as a cohesive unit to help the patient with routine and urgent care, coordination of specialty care and help with ongoing chronic health concerns.

You may wonder how this differs from primary care as we know it. After all, haven't patients always interacted with different staff members and had their care coordinated? Here's how I would summarize the improvements:

1. Specialized Care Teams. The PCMH model lets each person on the care team specialize in their part of the primary care experience. Because PCMH has made primary care clinics more efficient in how they conduct their work, each care team member now can work at the top of their license, which is a huge benefit to care and overall patient satisfaction. For example, a nurse now can focus more on health education with the patient, instead of just focusing on taking a patient's temperature or blood pressure.      
2. Patient Engagement. A PCMH care team works with the patient to  set health goals, understand their medical history and share previous medical records, bring their medications to every visit and discuss their specialty care needs. A whole new mentality! It takes us back to how it used to be, when a family medicine doctor could spend more time with a patient.      
3.  Technology. Our PCMH sites use new technologies like an online patient portal to allow patients to communicate with their care team. Our online portal lets patients request or change an appointment or ask their care team a non urgent question, right from their home! This not only makes it more convenient for the patient, but allows for better communication and management of the patient's health.
   For a family  member or caregiver of an older adult, the patient portal is very beneficial.  A proxy can be named for a patient and will allow the family member/caregiver to review their loved one's medical information right online!

 

Start the Conversation Today!

 

I look at the PCMH model as a "new-old way" of proving primary care to older adults. The "new"  part is using technology like MyCHArt, and the "old" part is returning to the roots of primary care, providing more patient-focused care. Click here for a great article I found that talks about the "new-old" perspective.  

 

 

So, start the conversation about primary care with your patients today! If you need a place to begin, show your patients this video I made to describe the importance of primary care -- click here !