A survey released by the Commonwealth Fund finds that people, especially minority patients, who have medical homes that offer them competent services and regular healthcare providers report greater quality of life than those without a regular physician.
Medical Home Eliminates Racial Disparities
The report by the Commonwealth Fund, a private, non-partisan foundation that supports research on health and social issues, is a first-of-its kind study that may be a solution to racial disparities in healthcare. The phone survey of 2,837 adults-of which three-fourths were African-American, Latino, and Caucasian patients with medical homes-reveals that those with medical homes always get the care they need and fast access to appointments.
Of those surveyed, about three-fourths of African-American, Latino, and white patients with medical homes report satisfactory healthcare and appointment scheduling. Of those people with no regular healthcare source, 44% of Caucasian patients say that they always get the care they require, compared to one-third of the African-Americans and Latinos. Out of those surveyed, 28% of whites, 34% of African-Americans, 26% of Asians, and 15% of Latinos report having a medical home.
Uninsured Patients with Medical Homes
The report states that even uninsured patients receive better service using medical homes. And though people without insurance may face inconsistent and costly care, uninsured patients who report high-quality care can often utilize community health centers as their medical homes. According to Beal, having health insurance is usually in direct proportion to whether or not a patient has a medical home. The insured are more likely to have one.
The report also indicates that most Americans are without medical homes. Having a medical home, especially for adults, is important in chronic conditions that can result in diabetes or hypertension. The report states that while 23% of adults with a medical home say their healthcare provider does not provide them with a plan to manage their care at home, 65% without a medial home report the same. Out of hypertensive adults with a medical home, 42% report that they check their blood pressure and it is well-controlled, while adults with hypertension and without a medical home account for only 25%.
Beal says that the advantages of medical homes should help promote the concept. The programs should also be supported by Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance providers. The report is based on results from the 2006 Commonwealth Fund Healthcare Quality Survey conducted from May to October 2006, both in English and in Spanish.
