Medical homes and ePHRs offer potential for improving care for persons with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities

Children and adults with chronic illnesses or disabilities often have complex health care needs that require services from a variety of health providers. By the year 2020, projections indicate approximately 25% of US residents will be living with chronic conditions and that it will cost up to $1.07 billion to manage their care. Both quality improvements and economic solutions are needed to ensure that the health system becomes more responsive in addressing the needs of this population. Too frequently common complaints among persons with chronic health problems and/or disabilities reflect the burden of scheduling and coordinating care with primary and specialty care providers. Many individuals experience delays in care that arise from access issues or challenges in navigating the health care system. While others indicate the receipt of needed care was accompanied by duplication in services, such as a duplicate test or procedure.

Concurrent use of medical homes and ePHRs (electronic personal health records) offer potential for improving an array of services for persons with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities that include improving access to care, coordinating care, reducing duplication of services and medical errors, supporting patient/provider communications and decision-making, and ultimately, improving health outcomes. The presenter will focus attention primarily on the use of medical homes and ePHRs to facilitate access and care coordination.