title: Survey of 5 European countries suggests that more elements of patient-centered medical homes could improve primary care.
abstract: The patient-centered medical home is a US model for comprehensive care. This model features a personal physician or registered nurse who is augmented by a proactive team and information technology. Such a model could prove useful for advanced European systems as they strive to improve primary care, particularly for chronically ill patients. We surveyed 6,428 chronically ill patients and 152 primary care providers in five European countries to assess aspects of the patient-centered medical home. Although most patients reported that they had a personal physician and no problems in contacting the practice after hours, for example, other aspects of the patient-centered medical home, such as provision of written self-management support to patients, were not as widespread. We conclude that despite strong organizational structures, European primary care systems need additional efforts to recognize chronically ill patients as partners in care and can embrace patient-centered medical homes to improve care for European patients.
authors.affiliation: Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands. m.faber@iq.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Gerlienke
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Voerman
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erler
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Lepeleire
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grol
authors.forename: Jako
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burgers
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001530:Belgium; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005858:Germany; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006113:United Kingdom