Medical Homes: What is it? Who needs one? How do you build one?
What is a medical home?
It’s a health care model that is designed to provide complete primary care by forming partnerships between patients, doctors, medical staff, and families. It goes beyond just the doctor’s office and includes special care, educational services, and family support.
A medical home is not a place, it is a support system.
Who needs one?
Every child. Yes, that includes your child(ren).
Who says?
American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, National Institute of Health, The Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and many more pediatric healthcare organizations. There is great research to support it. When you dig into what the model is trying to accomplish, it makes a lot of sense.
Why does my child need one?
It helps organize and align your child’s health needs with their wellness needs, especially if you have a child with special healthcare needs. Studies show that children, regardless of whether they have special healthcare needs, can benefit from having a medical home. It also can be very helpful when transitioning your young adult from pediatric care to adult care.
How do I build one?
This part is a little tricky. Medical homes are custom built to fit the individual needs of your child. Step one: What are your child’s needs? Are they established with a pediatrician? Do they require follow-up by specialists? Step two: Talk to your pediatrician. Prepare for your child’s appointments with a list of questions and concerns. There are tools such as a well visit planner (link below) that can help you stay organized. Your pediatrician can help with referrals to specialists and coordinate care. Step three: Talk to your child’s school. If your child has medical and/or learning needs, you may need to establish an IEP (individualized education program) or 504 plan. The process differs a little from state to state. Not sure where to start? Call the school’s office, they should be able to guide you in the right direction. Step four: Get organized. Keep all your child’s medical information in one place. A millennial like myself, loves a 3 ring binder situation. Whatever works for you! Make sure to take this information to every appointment. Step five: Follow up. Stay vigilant and don’t stop until you get what your child’s needs. Be vocal about any problems or barriers you are facing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and push back if needed! The system is full of pitfalls; if you’re not cautious, you and your child might stumble into one!
Real Life…
There can be barriers to accessing this type of care and assembling your support system. However, knowing what you need will help you to advocate for your children by knowing what to ask for.
Some helpful resources:
www.medicalhomeinfo.org
www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/Pages/default.aspx
www.wellvistplanner.org
www.gotransition.org
