Oral

There are estimated to be 54 million people with disabilities living in the United States. As a population, these individuals face large barriers to maintaining their health and accessing health and human services as compared to those without disabilities. The nation’s healthcare system has recognized the importance of providing a Medical Home to support an integrated approach to coordinating medical care on behalf of these individuals. For persons with disabilities across the lifespan, the Medical Home takes on a greater importance in integrating health and human services for individuals receiving public or private insurances. The Medical Home approach ensures persons with disabilities and their health care providers have 24-hour access via email, telephone, and as necessary in person to important medical records and information. In support of the Medial Home, the electronic Personal Health Record (PHR) has a pivotal supporting role. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Disability (OD) is overseeing the development of a HHS agency-wide integrated Medical Home approach through current provision of health and human services for persons with disabilities across the lifespan. An evaluation/research initiative is under design.

Session Objectives: By exploring the current use and challenges of the “Medical Home” and its interface with Personal Health Records (PHR) from a variety of perspectives, sessions attendees will: Understand the importance of the Medical Home supported by the PHR in improving health and healthcare access for persons with disabilities across the lifespan. Consider new ways to utilize organizational and professional contacts and resources to support a health and human service-based Medical Home in conjunction with the key health informatics component, the PHR. Understand the complex and diverse barriers faced by persons with disabilities in maintaining integrated and coordinated health and human services through the Medical Home and the PHR.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing