A pattern of higher performance or availability of PCMH-related functions was observed among physicians in PCMH practices compared with physicians in non-PCMH practices, regardless of practice size.
This article first appeared February 17, 2017 on MedPage Today.
By Alexandria Bachert
Nearly 20% of U.S. primary care physicians in 2013 were in practices certified as patient-centered medical homes (PCMH), a comprehensive care delivery model which provides team-based care for all patients, CDC researchers found.
Having at least one physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or certified nurse midwife on staff was more common among office-based primary care physicians (PCPs) in PCMH practices (68.8%) compared with those in non-PCMH practices (47.7%), reported CDC statistician Esther Hing, MPH, and colleagues in a report from the National Center for Health Statistics.
Specifically, more PCPs in PCMH practices had physician assistants and nurse practitioners on staff compared with PCPs in non-PCMH practices (31.3% versus 19.9% and 45.8% versus 27.7%, respectively).
Not surprisingly, a general pattern of higher performance or availability of PCMH-related functions was observed among physicians in PCMH practices compared with physicians in non-PCMH practices, regardless of practice size, noted Hing and colleagues.
When asked for comment on the findings, NCHS public affairs specialist Brian Tsai explained to MedPage Today that "the PCMH has been advocated by primary care physicians, other primary care providers and associated professional societies for decades."
"The report found that a substantial percentage of non-PCMH practices have non-physical clinicians on staff and use EHR systems. This suggests there is potential for more primary care practices to become certified as a PCMH as ongoing payment incentives from CMS, certain payers, and states continue to be implemented," he continued.
Just over 40% of PCMH physicians were certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Other certifying organizations included the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and The Joint Commission. The certifying body was unknown for 27%.
The researchers found that, compared with PCPs in non-PCMH practices, those who were part of a PCMH practice used EHR or EMR systems more frequently (94.2% versus 74.3%) and provided greater around-the-clock access to patient medical records (91.5% versus 74.1%).
Likewise, more PCPs in PCMH practices (69.6%) received information on patients who were hospitalized or seen in the ER through electronic transmission than their non-PCMH counterparts (41.5%), with usage greatest among those in practices with 2-10 physicians (73.8%) compared with those in similarly sized non-PCMH practices (47.9%).
Hing and colleagues concluded that PCPs in PCMH practices may be more focused on quality and safety, with 86.8% reporting healthcare quality measures or indicators to payers or organizations compared with 70.2% in non-PCMH practices.