A recent article in the Boston Globe health section touts a "new model of welcome care" being developed and implemented in the northeast. 

This model was developed after hearing patient frustration across the country due to lack of access to their doctors.  Many have resorted to drugstore clinics for basic care.  Primary care doctors are so harried that they are abandoning private practice.  Thus, the inception of what is being called "medical home" practice - an attempt to provide an alternative.

Doctors quickly answer patient's questions by email and by phone.  Visits are available from early morning into the evening and on weekends, too!  The team and the practice are designed to offer patient care WHERE and WHEN the patient wants it. 

What distinguishes this medical model from conventional practice is:

• a comprehensive approach to care from prevention through hospitalization
• providing as many services as possible in one location
• coordination of all other care using a personal touch and  electronic medical records. 

In Massachusetts a group of physicians affiliated with Tufts Health Plan opened a medical home aimed at diabetes patients.  The state Senate passed a bill last month that would establish this type of practice in 10 communities to serve low-income patients with chronic and/or severe illnesses and would be funded through the Medicaid program.  The project will be launched in 8 states (yet to be chosen) in 2009. 

The article further stated that "newly graduated doctors who have been trained to work in this setting are seeing benefits.  They are more satisfied working in this setting because they feel they are helping the patient more and spending less time creating records (thanks to the use of the Internet and medical records)."

So, what does this have to do with you? 

Well, you might want to seek out this type of model if you are starting into practice.  It appears to provide an alternative to the more traditional associateship and also moves you, as a doctor, into the future rather than staying in the past. 

If you are starting your own practice, why not seek out the entities who are forming this type of practice model and become a part of it? 

It's funny, I guess I have been around long enough to see things come "full circle"...chiropractors have always practiced this type of care: calling patients, providing a stress-free environment, a caring staff.

Hmmm ... maybe you have more to offer than you think! 

Have any of our readers explored this type of practice?