Patient Centered Medical Home transformation at an academic medical center

Abstract

Background: Primary care is playing an ever increasing role in the design and implementation of new models of healthcare focused on achieving policy ends as put forth by government at both the state and federal level. The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model is a leading design in this endeavor.
Objective: We sought to transform family medicine offices at an academic medical center into the PCMH model of care with improvements in patient outcomes as the end result.
Results: Transformation to the PCMH model of care resulted in improved rates of control of diabetes and hypertension and improved prevention measures such as smoking cessation, mammograms, Pneumovax administration, and Tdap vaccination. Readmission rates also improved using a care coordination model.
Conclusions: It is possible to transform family medicine offices at academic medical centers in methods consistent with newer models of care such as the PCMH model and to improve patient outcomes. Lessons learned along the way are useful to any practice or system seeking to undertake such transformation.