Practice Transformation

Patient-Centered Medical Home -- A patient-centered medical home is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care for people of all ages and medical conditions. It is a way for a physician-led medical practice, chosen by the patient, to integrate health care services for that patient who confronts a complex and confusing health care system.

The Patient-Centered Medical Home History, Seven Core Features, Evidence and Transformational Change -- This Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care paper describes the medical home concept as well as the evidence that points to the concept’s value in improving care and reducing costs.
(32-page PDF file; About PDFs)

Joint Principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home -- The American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association, representing approximately 333,000 physicians, have developed joint principles to describe the characteristics of the patient-centered medical home. Among them: a personal physician who provides a comprehensive, whole-person approach to the care of each patient and who coordinates that care throughout the complex health care system; high quality care, patient safety, and enhanced access to services.
(3-page PDF file; About PDFs)

Growing support for the Patient-Centered Medical Home -- The Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative is a coalition of major employers, consumer groups, and other stakeholders who have joined with organizations representing primary care physicians to develop and advance the patient-centered medical home. The Collaborative believes that, if implemented, the patient-centered medical home will improve the health of patients and the viability of the health care delivery system.

Evidence that Patient-Centered Care Improves Quality and Reduces Cost -- A video presentation given June 11, 2007, at the Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative Roundtable, Washington, DC.

NCQA Program to Evaluate Patient-Centered Medical Homes -- This NCAQ news release describes a program by which physician practices can be identified as patient-centered medical homes.

Physician Practice Connections – Patient-Centered Medical Home -- The NCQA has published standards that – when met – will identify physician practices as patient-centered medical homes.

TransforMED -- TransforMED focuses on medical practice redesign by studying and implementing TransforMED models of high performance practice that meet the needs of both patients and physicians. The mission of TransforMED is to lead and empower medical practices in implementing the new model of patient-centered care — thereby improving health care for patients, as well as the success of primary care.

Future of Family Medicine -- The Future of Family Medicine project developed a strategy to transform and renew the specialty of family medicine to meet the needs of people and society in a changing environment. It was a joint effort of the Family Medicine Working Party and the Academic Family Medicine Organizations.