Joint Commission: MDs not the only providers qualified to lead PCMH teams

July 29, 2014 — The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care, applauds the Joint Commission, a national nonprofit organization that accredits more than 20,000 healthcare organizations and programs, for its restatement in favor of “non-physician” led patient-centered medical home (PCMH) healthcare teams. The F4CP points to doctors of chiropractic (DCs) as being trained to both serve and lead within the PCMH setting.

“Collaboration between providers is a central element to achieving the high-quality and cost-effective goals of the PCMH model,” Gerard Clum, DC, spokesperson for F4CP, said. “Possessing extensive training in diagnosis and treatment, doctors of chiropractic can contribute tremendous value to PCMHs. Particularly, for patients with conditions such as low back pain, neck pain, and headaches, evidence supports chiropractic as a suitable option that presents greater opportunity for superior outcomes.”

According to the F4CP report, “The Role of Chiropractic Care in the Patient-Centered Medical Home,” there are several roles a DC can assume within a PCMH to advance patient care:

• As neuromuscular and musculoskeletal specialists with direct patient access
• As neuromuscular and musculoskeletal specialists, on referral from primary care providers (PCP)
• As PCPs who also deliver care to patients seeking help for non-musculoskeletal conditions
• As providers of diagnostic and therapeutic prevention and health promotion services, including, but is not limited to, evidence-based diet and exercise counseling

National entities, including the National Committee for Quality Assurance, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, and URAC, agree that an organization can provide the attributes of a PCMH without physician leadership — with the exception of the American Medical Association House of Delegates.

“I congratulate the Joint Commission for opening the doors to other healthcare disciplines to support patient care through the PCMH model,” Clum said. “This updated approach allows care to be determined based on a patient’s needs, rather than a profession’s needs. It marks a tremendous step forward for our nation’s healthcare system and patient population, and I am optimistic that this will soon become the generally accepted method for care delivery.”

Source: Foundation for Chiropractic Progress