OnSiteClinics.Org

Study Says NCQA PCMH Model “Best”

A study conducted by Michael Ewing at the University of Alabama, the results of which were published in the Journal of Healthcare Management (58:4 July/August 2013 issue, p258-265) evaluated three models with respect to the effectiveness of a patient-centered medical home.  Those 3 models were developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Demonstration Project, and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). [If you are at all interested in the history of the development of the patient-centered medical home concept, this article is well-worth the read.]

The study looks at these three models in depth and the research documenting results for each of the three.  The author concludes that there is significantly more research available on the NCQA model and that research has demonstrated reductions in utilization and cost (of course, if utilization is reduced, so is cost), and improved chronic disease management.  In addition, that research also showed that the patients were healthier and more satisfied with their care than those patients in a “normal” primary care practice.

So, if you are just initiating your on-site, or if you are looking for ways to improve the care, the NCQA PCMH model may be something to evaluate in depth.