Oral

As healthcare providers, we are constantly striving to improve the quality of care that we provide, while simultaneously being aware of cost effectiveness. Primary care, in the current US healthcare system is in the process of being re-evaluated and restructured. This process has the goal of both standardizing the quality of care, while reducing its costs in an attempt to increase the capacity of the system to care for larger numbers of patients. The presentations in this session aim to evaluate methods to accomplish these goals. The integrated delivery system and the “medical home” are both models for healthcare that endeavor to decrease the current fragmentation of healthcare, improve quality and decrease cost and overutilization. Some of the presentations in this program will review programs that have been implemented for a particular disease; whereas other presentations will focus on programs developed for broad healthcare networks. At the conclusion of the session, the attendee will have a better understanding of barriers to quality and cost effective healthcare as well as exposure to methods to improve both of these measurable outcomes.

Session Objectives: 1. Identify barriers that negatively affect healthcare delivery 2. Discuss programs currently being developed to improve healthcare delivery and mechanisms with which to implement these programs. 3. Assess the positive impact of the patient centered medical home on both healthcare and cost utilization.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)