title: Underserved patients' perspectives on patient-centered primary care: does the patient-centered medical home model meet their needs?
abstract: The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) has gained significant interest as a delivery system model that can improve health care quality while reducing costs. This study uses focus groups to investigate underserved, chronically ill patients' preferences for care and develops a patient-centered framework of priorities. Seven major priorities were identified: (a) communication and partnership, (b) affordable care, (c) coordinated care, (d) personal responsibility, (e) accessible care, (f) education and support resources, and (g) the essential role of nonphysician providers in supporting their care. Using the framework, we analyzed the PCMH joint principals as developed by U.S. medical societies to identify where the PCMH model could be improved to better meet the needs of these patients. Four of the seven patient priorities were identified as not present in or supported by current PCMH joint principles. The study discusses how the PCMH model can better address the needs of low-income, disadvantaged patients.
authors.affiliation: 1George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mead
authors.forename: Ellie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andres
authors.forename: Marsha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Regenstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: chronic conditions; patient focus groups; patient-centered care; patient-centered medical home