#351

Mom asked me tonight about this article in The New York Times discussing the concept of a "medical home." I thought it useful to link to the article because it is something that patients should be thinking about. I lack the energy and the time right now to write my thoughts down about the concept (and I'm not convinced anyone would want to read them, anyway), but I'll leave you with this. Like most ideas in medicine, the medical home is a good one in theory but faces incredible barriers to becoming a reality. Most of this stems from money, and a lot of it stems from reward. While it may be in the patient's best interest to coordinate care, there is little day-to-day recognition of how much time and effort the job takes. I think all of us go into medicine thinking we'll be that kind of doctor but the pressures of family, running a business, and the sheer nastiness that is medical training and the health care system force you to cut corners. I actually think the medical home would be an important money-saving tool in the reform of our current health care system. The more patients demand this sort of care (i.e. ask your primary care doctor about how they feel about the medical home and what their practice does to make one for you), the more we'll see it in the "real world."