A case study argument for nursing involvement in medical homes

Abstract

Patient-centered medical homes are currently being evaluated in the United States (U.S.) as a way of improving quality ofcare, enhancing patient involvement, increasing access, coordinating care of multiple providers, and controlling costs inprimary care settings. A case study of a 47 year old Hispanic woman with a herniated lumbar disk is presented to illustratethe need for integrated, timely care in the context of a medical home. This case demonstrates how challenging it can be toaccess care, how necessary it is to consider patient preferences, and how important it is to develop positivepatient-provider relationships in primary care settings. This case study is the first illustration of why nursing leadershipand case management within a medical home setting would improve access and care coordination. The need for patientadvocacy, education, and health promotion within medical homes illustrates why nurses need to play a central role as thisnew method of care delivery is implemented. Nurses should not only be included on interdisciplinary teams providingprimary care but also be team leaders within medical homes. Nurses should also play a key role in researching theeffectiveness of patient-centered care offered by medical homes and evaluating associated risks. This model of care isconsistent with the patient-centered approach that is a central tenet of nursing practice.