Experts weigh in on the benefits and pitfalls of making the shift to a patient-centered medical home model as more physicians examine whether it is best for their practice.

If your practice is thinking about adopting a patient-centered medical home model, then knowing the importance of the accreditation should become a part of the equation. First, is accreditation necessary? Second, what are the benefits of fulfilling the requirements?

Why should practices opt for PCMH accreditation?

PCMH accreditation signifies that a provider has become an advanced primary care practice. This designation means that the practice has undergone a transformation in quality and safety enhancement and has established a foundation for coordination across the continuum of care. It offers extended hours, care management to patients with chronic illnesses, behavioural health integration, or other services.

For patient’s care, accreditation represents that the practice provides enhanced services and higher quality of care. PCMHs are increasingly looking to engage patients and families as partners in quality improvement. Patient engagement at this level of organizational change will need to become a much more earnest part of primary care reform if practices are truly going to transform into patient-centred medical homes.

Differing standards?

Many primary care providers share their interest in PCMH accreditation. Therefore, stakeholders-from payers to policymakers and patients-have voiced concerns about variations in the qualifying criteria. Many researches suggest that organizations have a lot of differences and tension in order to receive the transformation and recognition to the medical home. In addition, some programs have come under fire for being too administratively burdensome and overly focused on processes rather than outcomes.

Accreditation’s purpose declines if people approach it as “filling a checklist” rather than focusing on the bigger picture of the goals they are trying to achieve.

Why is Patient-Centered Medical Home important?

PCMH is a promising approach to improve primary care practices. It aims to improve quality, reduce cost, and improve the experience of patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. It is sensitive to each patient’s unique needs, culture, values, and preferences. Also, it supports the patient’s self-care efforts and involves patent is primary care delivery.

PCMH is pivotal in providing highly coordinated care. It keeps into account all determinants of health that connects patients to both medical and social resources in the community. Not only that but it improves access to care by making care providers available after hours and by email and telephone.

Eventually, PCMH serves as exceptionally beneficial for organizational satisfaction, consumer satisfaction, quality care and serves as a mitigation strategy to minimize errors.

To consult more about PCMH accreditation and processes, contact Dao Consulting Services today.