RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 When Practice Transformation Impedes Practice Improvement
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 273
OP 275
DO 10.1370/afm.1789
VO 13
IS 3
A1 Edward Bujold
YR 2015
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/13/3/273.abstract
AB I lead a small practice in rural western North Carolina. We have embraced the patient-centered medical home model and other practice-improvement initiatives, and I have seen our practice transformed in many positive ways. But in the past year alone, my staff and I have spent hundreds of hours studying for and taking exams, certifying for numerous programs, and updating our electronic health records system (EHR) to meet new national requirements and then relearning our EHR. Seeing patients used to be the hardest part of my job. It is now the easiest by far. I am considering walking away from the time-intensive PCMH certification even though it would cause financial hardship. We have more important business at hand—taking excellent care of patients, improving our practice, and meaningfully engaging with our patients.