Patient Centered Medical Homes

The United States health care system requires an overhaul as it has for a long time been unsustainable. The crisis in the health care is projected to prevail even after new models are being adopted to address the current problem. The United States is ranked lowest in both operations of primary care and patient outcomes yet ranked as the highest in average spending. According to a health care research conducted, the health care spending was 16 % of the GDC in 2006 and was seen to increase to 20% by 2016. This paper analyzes the demand issues of primary care physicians that are indicative of the need for major reforms of the United States healthcare system.

The healthcare optimization is dependent on expanding the role of primary care physicians (PCPs). It will help prevent chronic diseases from developing hence attaining better health outcomes (Siviter, 2013). The PCPs are in a better position of performing the role of coordination. On the contrary, they are challenged with the new role as it is not typically in their practice. Lack of resources, infrastructure, and funding is a major drawback for PCPs to carry out their duties effectively. It is evident that the number of medical PCPs has decreased by 50%. The decrease has a negative impact on the medical service as the demand stands to be increasing and supply dropping.

The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model has adopted redesigned deliverance and finance of the primary care. The model is patient-centered, team-based, comprehensive and focused on quality and safety (Stenger et al., 2012). It enhances excellence in primary care so that Medicare best suits the needs of a patient. Medicare is required to increase its PCPS reimbursement in an approach that offers patients more time per visit (Bodenheimer & Smith, 2013). The model is perceived to be an innovative solution to health care related problems. There will be improved quality care, keen monitoring in health care usage and an overall reduced cost.

In conclusion, the shortage of PCPs is a major problem in the United States health care sector. There is also a need for expanding managed care aiming at providing patients with quality care and meeting their needs. The PCMH plays a significant role in the health care shift of United States. Improved coordination and effective disease management result in improved care quality. The PCMH model will also decrease patient’s utilization rate in a medical home that is a positive impact in the health care sector in the United States.  

References

Bodenheimer, T., & Smith, M. (2013). Primary Care: Proposed Solutions To The Physician Shortage Without Training More Physicians. Health Affairs, 32(11), 1881-1886. Doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0234

Siviter, B. (2013). From the front line – We must improve dementia care in the community. Primary Health Care, 23(8), 13-13. doi:10.7748/phc2013.10.23.8.13.s15

Stenger, R., Smith, J., McMullan, J., Rodriguez, G., Dorr, D., & Minniti, M. et al. (2012). Defining the Medical Home: The Oregon Experience. The Journal Of The American Board Of Family Medicine, 25(6), 869-877. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2012.06.120026

RC, W., & M, A. (2013). Patient-Centered Medical Home (1st ed.).