A patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a model of primary care that puts patients at the center of their care. The PCMH model involves a team of care providers who work together to coordinate a patient's care, including prevention, acute care, and chronic care. The PCMH model is designed to be patient-centered, comprehensive, coordinated, accessible, high quality, and safe.
Some characteristics of a PCMH include:
- Patient-centered: Patients are supported in learning to manage their own care, and are fully involved in developing their care plans.
- Team-based: A team of care providers, including nurses and pharmacists, work together to ensure that everyone is on the same page about the patient's care.
- Culturally appropriate: The PCMH model is designed to be culturally appropriate.
- Cost-effective: The PCMH model is designed to be cost-effective.
- Improved patient outcomes: Research shows that PCMHs improve quality and the patient experience, while reducing health care costs.
