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Patient-centered medical home is an awkward name for what is arguably one of the best new strategies to support individuals of all ages in maintaining good health.
Simply put, it means the primary care doctor and his/her staff become the hub— or "medical home" --for coordinating an individual's health and keeping it as strong as possible.
Here are just a few examples:
- A patient with diabetes has regular conversations with his medical team and receives reminders when it's time for lab work. Medical staff contact the patient if he misses any tests, review test results and plan accordingly. The doctor coordinates referral to a nephrologist if needed, and monitors treatment prescribed there.
- The doctor of a patient with cardiac issues stays on top of a patient's total medical picture. Doctor and staff monitor medications, review lab and diagnostics results, and stay apprised if the patient is hospitalized. They help the patient manage stress tests, cholesterol checks, etc., and even help the patient create a written plan to achieve optimal health.
- The patient/physician partnership means a young woman in her late 30s would have conversations with her doctor about diet, exercise and changing medical needs. She'll receive a reminder when she turns 40 that it's time for her first mammogram.
Several area doctors are adopting the patient-centered medical home approach, which helps area residents and their families stay healthy — avoiding problems that can arise when medical care occurs mostly with strep throats, flu, etc.
Five local practices have earned designation for their efforts by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan:
To achieve this designation, their practices meet or exceed quality initiatives set by Blue Cross, including E-prescribing, implementing a patient registry, and having individual care management plans. Learn more about the Patient-Centered Medical Home.
Looking for a healthcare provider accepting new patients? Choose a doctor who chooses McLaren Central Michigan, a 2011 Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® Award Winner. For a full list of McLaren Central Michigan healthcare providers accepting new patients, visit www.mclaren.org/findaphysician
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