A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has found primary care physicians practicing in the patient-centered medical home model improve quality of care at a faster rate than physicians in non-PCMH practices.
The study found physicians practicing in a PCMH model that leverages technology and promotes coordinated, team-based care are more likely to recommend preventative screenings to patients than physicians practicing in a non-PCMH model.
The study also found physicians in PCMH practices utilizing technology such as electronic health records were 7 percent more likely to improve quality of care than physicians using paper medical records. The PCMH physicians were also 6 percent more likely to improve quality of care than physicians who utilized an EHR system but did not practice under the PCMH model.
"The PCMH model combines EHRs with organizational changes, including changes in the roles and responsibilities of clinicians and staff," said Lisa Kern, MD, an associate professor of healthcare policy and research at New York City-based
For the report, researchers observed 675 primary care physicians in 312 practices and 143,489 patients.
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