Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2010 Jun;25(6):593-600.
doi: 10.1007/s11606-010-1289-x.

Developing a policy-relevant research agenda for the patient-centered medical home: a focus on outcomes

Diane R Rittenhouse  1 , David H Thom, Julie A Schmittdiel
Affiliations

Developing a policy-relevant research agenda for the patient-centered medical home: a focus on outcomes

Diane R Rittenhouse et al. J Gen Intern Med. 2010 Jun.

Abstract

Background: The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a widely endorsed model of delivery system reform that emphasizes primary care. Pilot demonstration projects are underway in many states, sponsored by Medicare, Medicaid, major health plans and multi-payer coalitions.

Methods: In this paper we consider the development of a long-term policy-relevant research agenda on outcomes of the PCMH. We provide an overview of potential measures of PCMH impact, identify measurement challenges and recommend areas for further study. Although the PCMH should not be expected to solve every problem in the health care system, developing a research agenda for measuring outcomes of delivery system innovations such as the PCMH should be considered in the context of the larger effort to improve the US health care system, with the ultimate goal to improve population health.

Results: As a framework for our discussion, we have chosen the Institute of Medicine's six specific aims for 21st century health care: (1) safe, (2) effective, (3) patient-centered, (4) timely, (5) efficient and (6) equitable. In addition, we include potential areas of PCMH outcomes that do not easily fall under this framework and consider unintended consequences.

Conclusion: Multi-stakeholder involvement will be essential in developing a long-term policy-relevant research agenda for outcomes of the PCMH.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Rittenhouse DR, Shortell SM. The patient-centered medical home: will it stand the test of health reform? JAMA. 2009;301(19):2038–40. doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.691. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Joint Principles of the Patient Centered Medical Home | Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative. Available at: http://www.pcpcc.net/content/joint-principles-patient-centered-medical-home. Accessed January 2010.
    1. Committee on Quality of Health Care in America, Institute of Medicine. Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2001.
    1. Pearson SD, Schneider EC, Kleinman KP, Coltin KL, Singer JA. The impact of pay-for-performance on health care quality in Massachusetts, 2001–2003. Health Aff. 2008;27:1167–76. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.27.4.1167. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Integrated Health Association – IHA Press Releases. Available at: http://www.iha.org/pay_performance.html. Accessed January, 2010

Publication types

MeSH terms