Benefits of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Model of Care

The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model of care is closely aligned with these Shared Principles of Primary Care. The following principles explain some of the medical home model’s key benefits:

1. Person- and Family-centered. Primary care focuses on the whole person — physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing, as well as cultural, linguistic and social needs.
2. Continuous. Dynamic, trusted, respectful and enduring relationships between individuals, families and their clinical team members are hallmarks of primary care. There is continuity in relationships and in knowledge of the individual and his or her family/care partners that provides perspective and context throughout all stages of life, including end-of-life care.
3. Comprehensive and Equitable. Primary care addresses the whole person with appropriate clinical and supportive services that include acute, chronic and preventive care, behavioral and mental health, oral health, health promotion and more. Primary care practices partner with health and community-based organizations to promote population health and health equity, including making inequities visible and identifying avenues for solution.
4. Team-based and Collaborative. Interdisciplinary teams, including individuals and families, work collaboratively and dynamically toward a common goal of better health.
5. Coordinated and Integrated. Primary care integrates the activities of those involved in an individual’s care, across settings and services, proactively communicating and helping individuals and families navigate the recommendations they receive from other clinicians and professionals.
6. Accessible. Primary care is accessible for all individuals regardless of language, literacy, socioeconomic, cognitive or physical barriers. As the first source of care, clinicians and staff are available and responsive when, where and how individuals and families need them.
7. High-value. Primary care achieves excellent, equitable outcomes for individuals and families, including using health care resources wisely and considering costs to patients, payers and the system. A systematic approach is taken to measuring, reporting and improving population health, quality, safety and health equity, including partnering with individuals, families and community groups. Primary care practices deliver exceptionally positive experiences for individuals, families, staff and clinicians.

Excerpted from the Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .