Over the past few months my esteemed colleague David St.Clair has been giving us regular blog updates about the growing momentum of the patient-centered medical home (or simply “medical home’ as it has come to be known in industry vernacular). I share David’s interest in this issue, and have for some time. I fully believe that the medical home approach has real potential to bring positive change to the American health care system and to make health care more effective, more affordable and more accessible for consumers.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the two-day National Medical Home Summit in Philadelphia. The event featured some of the nation’s leading medical home experts and authorities who explored the many issues and opportunities surrounding this promising concept. One thing I took away from the conference that has really resonated with me is that the medical home is no longer simply a model; it has become a legitimate “movement” thanks to increased awareness, support and readiness among the many varied stakeholders and constituents.

What’s exciting for those of us in the health information technology industry is that technology is poised to play a very big role in the proliferation of the medical home. And the timing couldn’t be better, as the Obama administration has made health care reform a top priority and endorsed technology as a primary means to bring about that change. As we learn more about the reform plans being formulated in Washington, it will be interesting to see what role the medical home will play. Will it be the primary model for change, or simply a major component? Time will tell, but given the momentum it has already generated, the medical home clearly will have some bearing on the future of health care.

David and I will be monitoring the issue and will undoubtedly blog about future developments, so check back often.

Andy Schuyler, M.D., DBFM, FAAFP
Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, MEDecision