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Are Primary Care Practices Ready to Become Patient‐Centered Medical Homes?
Author(s) -
Ullrich Fred A.,
MacKinney A. Clinton,
Mueller Keith J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-0361.2012.00433.x
Subject(s) - medical home , primary care , metropolitan area , incentive , best practice , medicine , nursing , promotion (chess) , quality (philosophy) , quality assurance , health care , health information technology , family medicine , business , marketing , economic growth , service (business) , philosophy , management , pathology , epistemology , politics , political science , law , economics , microeconomics
Purpose: To measure the readiness of rural primary care practices to qualify as patient‐centered medical homes (PCMHs), one step toward participating in changes underway in health care finance and delivery. Methods: We used the 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey to compare PCMH readiness scores among metropolitan and nonmetropolitan primary care practices. The National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) assessment system served as a framework to assess the PCMH capabilities of primary care practices based on their services, processes, and policies. Findings: We found little difference between urban and rural practices. Approximately 41% of all primary care practices offer minimal or no PCMH services. We also found that large practices score higher on standards primarily related to information technology and care management. Conclusions: Achieving the benefits of the PCMH model in small rural practices may require additional national promotion, technical assistance, and financial incentives.