RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Progress of Ontario’s Family Health Team Model: A Patient-Centered Medical Home
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 165
OP 171
DO 10.1370/afm.1228
VO 9
IS 2
A1 Walter W. Rosser
A1 Jack M. Colwill
A1 Jan Kasperski
A1 Lynn Wilson
YR 2011
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/9/2/165.abstract
AB Ontario’s Family Health Team (FHT) model, implemented in 2005, may be North America’s largest example of a patient-centered medical home. The model, based on multidisciplinary teams and an innovative incentive-based funding system, has been developed primarily from fee-for-service primary care practices. Nearly 2 million Ontarians are served by 170 FHTs. Preliminary observations suggest high satisfaction among patients, higher income and more gratification for family physicians, and trends for more medical students to select careers in family medicine. Popular demand is resulting in expansion to 200 FHTs. We describe the development, implementation, reimbursement plan, and current status of this multidisciplinary model, relating it to the principles of the patient-centered medical home. We also identify its potential to provide an understanding of many aspects of primary care.