Patient-Centered Medical Home concept enhances patient care Published Nov. 5, 2012 By Col. Markham Brown Chairman, Primary Care Services Department JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- I have enjoyed watching professional basketball over the years. Michael Jordan was an amazing player with the ability to fly through the air and score lots of points. It's interesting to note that earlier in his career he scored 40 to 50 points per game yet his team was not able to win any championships. Once he was able to surround himself with good teammates, while he scored less points per game, his team started winning championships. The same thing has happened in our healthcare system. We have providers who take pride in delivering quality care. Over time the demands on our providers have increased, but their numbers have actually decreased. That is why a new concept has spread across the nation - patient centered medical home. The concept is to surround a patient with a provider, a nurse, technicians and other personnel as a team to provide personalized healthcare. We also have a Population Healthcare program including computer systems to track your care and remind you of services to treat chronic diseases and provide preventive care. Additionally, we have newer technologies such as Tricare Online and MiCare Secure Messaging to assist with communicating with your healthcare team and making appointments. You are part of the team. It is important to remember that as a patient, you play a key role on the winning team. We cannot reach championship caliber without your full participation as a team member. Here are some helpful tips to be a part of a championship team: - Manage your medical care at the lowest level of care possible starting with yourself. There are multiple sources to assist with your care ranging from free self-care online resources to classes. Secure messaging via MiCare allows you to communicate with your healthcare team to handle many issues outside of an appointment with a provider when an appointment is not necessary. - Prepare for your appointments. The appointment will go a lot smoother if you write down ahead a summary of your concerns and prioritize what you hope to accomplish during the visit. Let the screening technician know if you need refills, consults, a profile, or quarters so that is planned into the visit. If your medical condition requires labs or X-rays to monitor the condition, have those completed ahead of time to prevent unnecessary follow-up phone calls and changes in your treatment plan. If full vitals and a partial history can be taken prior to your appointment, there will be more time during the visit to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of your condition. - Be on time for your appointments and call to cancel when you cannot make it. Every time a patient does not show up without cancelling it at least two hours ahead of time, it deprives another patient the opportunity of using the valuable appointment time. - Seek to understand your medical problems and medications. Maintain a list of your chronic medical conditions and which medications are used to treat each condition. Keep a copy of your written treatment plan including required tests needed to monitor your condition. Do your best to follow the treatment plan in order to optimize your health. The 59th Medical Wing stands ready to assist in any way possible. If all members of our treatment teams including our patients work together to do their part, we will truly develop a championship team!