There are subtle, but meaningful, shifts when your physician and clinic adopts the Medical Home model of care:
The doctor sees the patient as a consumer of healthcare, not a participant.
The patient actively participates in their healthcare decision-making as an equal.
Walk-in and ER visits are the only ways to see a physician in a timely manner, and the patient usually sees a different doctor every time.
Same-day access appointments with the patient's primary doctor are consistently available for urgent needs.
Quick, single-issue appointments are made without consideration of the patient's history or needs.
Appointment duration is scheduled based on the patient's healthcare needs and medical history.
Problems are addressed only as they arise.
Preventive visits are scheduled ahead of time to anticipate and avoid problems before they arise.
A single solution is often presented by the doctor.
Various options are given and patients are educated about the pros and cons of each choice.
Appointments rarely utilize non-doctor team members for education and support.
Appointments utilize team members (including the primary care network) for a more comprehensive visit.
Clinic staff is utilized only for helping patient flow.
Clinic staff get to know the patients and assist in care.
The Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system is used only for documentation and billing.
The EMR system is used to identify patients at risk, minimize medication mistakes, track how well doctors are treating diseases, and much more.
High costs are incurred through ER visits for non-emergent issues and unnecessary tests and treatments due to unfamiliarity with the patient's healthcare needs and history.
Minimizes costs by reducing unnecessary tests and treatments, and works to avoid ER visits with preventive care and same-day appointments.
College of Family Physicians of Canada:
Toward Optimized Practice Alberta:
Traditional vs. Medical Home Approach
Alberta Medical Association:
The Patient's Medical Home
Alberta Health Services
Snowy Owl Medical Clinic
Phone: 403-807-8864 Fax: 403-337-1957
Unit 1, 1118 Hammond St.
PO Box 1350
Carstairs, AB, Canada