The Family- Professional Partnership

A Medical Home means that:

The primary care physician and other health care providers

• Know the child’s history
• Listen to the parents’ and child’s concerns and needs
• Work in partnership with families to ensure that the medical home and non-medical needs of  the child and family are met
• Create a trusting, collaborative relationship with the family
• Treat the child with compassion and understanding
• Offer a Case Manager / Care Coordinator for our chronic / high risk patients
• Co-Manage Care with behavioral healthcare providers and other specialties
• Develop a care plan with the family for their child when needed

The parents and child

• Are comfortable sharing concerns and questions with the child’s primary care physician and other health care providers
• Routinely communicate their child’s needs and family priorities to the primary care physician, who promotes communication between the family and other health care providers when necessary

GOALS OF A MEDICAL HOME

Medical Home is based on the need to:

• Develop ways that families and professionals work in partnership
• Recognize and respect the abilities one brings to the working relationship
• Acknowledge trust as necessary to the relationship
• Favor open communication
• Create a culturally effective atmosphere
• Illustrate mutual commitment of families, professionals, and communities to meet the needs of children with special health conditions

MAKE EACH MEDICAL HOME APPOINTMENT WORK FOR YOU!

• Before the appointment, write down your questions and concerns
• Pack some comfort items like books, toys, snacks and extra clothes
• If your child see specialists, ask them to send their reports to your child’s doctor
• Bring complete medical history including self-referrals, ER visits
• Bring a list of the medications your child takes regularly to the appointment
• At the appointment, relax, ask questions and take notes!  Tell your doctor when something is not clear
• Ask your doctor to explain the care and treatment plan and put it in writing
• Ask when you should schedule your child’s next appointment
• After the appointment, put your child’s medical information in one place-ready for the next appointment

A MEDICAL HOME PHYSICIAN Ensures Care That Is:

ACCESSIBLE

• Care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

FAMILY CENTERED

• Recognition that the family is the principal caregiver and the center of strength and support for children

CONTINUOUS

• Same primary pediatric health care professionals are available from infancy through adolescence

COMPREHENSIVE

• Includes sick and well care as well as education and community referral needs

COORDINATED

• Families are linked to support, educational, and community based services

COMPASSIONATE

• Concern for well-being of child and family is expressed and demonstrated

CULTURALLY EFFECTIVE

• Family’s cultural background is recognized, valued and respected