Patient-centered medical homes: will health care reform provide new options for rural communities and providers?

Fam Community Health. 2011 Apr-Jun;34(2):93-101. doi: 10.1097/FCH.0b013e31820e0d78.

Abstract

Many are calling for the expansion of the patient-centered medical home model into rural and underserved populations as a transformative strategy to address issues of access, efficiency, quality, and sustainability in the delivery of health care. Patient-centered medical homes have been touted as a promising cost-saving model for comprehensive management of persons with chronic diseases and disabilities, but it is unclear how rural practitioners in medically underserved areas will implement the patient-centered medical home. This article examines how the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act of 2010 will enhance rural providers' ability to provide patient-centered care and services contemplated under the Act in a comprehensive, coordinated, cost-effective way despite leaner budgets and health workforce shortages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Health Care Reform*
  • Humans
  • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
  • Patient-Centered Care*
  • Rural Health Services / organization & administration
  • Rural Population*
  • United States