The concept of establishing “medical homes” emerged in the health-care reform debate as a way to improve health-care quality and efficiency and cut costs. Built on a doctor-patient relationship, it re-establishes the primary care provider as the backbone of the health-care system. The most cost-effective care without having a physician who knows you.

A doctor who knows a patient well can order far fewer tests to diagnose a complaint than a doctor who’s unfamiliar with the patient. And there should be fewer duplicate tests ordered by primary care offices, specialists and emergency departments.

Patient-centered medical homes provide more access than a typical doctor’s office. It’s a very good model of care that patients need and deserve and offices have been unable to deliver.

Becoming a patient-centered medical home is asking doctors to do more when they’re already busy just keeping up with status quo which would definitely result in improved clinical practice quality.

Also, the focus on patient-centered medical homes would not be possible if not for electronic health records. Electronic records make it easy to see a doctor’s track record in addition it also makes it easier for doctors to keep track of patients. Doctors’ offices can be notified if patients have been admitted or discharged from a hospital or have missed a timely screening.

Reference: http://www.dailypress.com/health/dp-nws-cp-patient-centered-medical-ho20110218,0,7352792.story