The Patient-Centered Medical Home is Not Always the Primary Care Provider’s Office

As I reflect on the critical factors that lead to the successful diagnosis and treatment of a young child with a solid tumor, I come up with a list of factors similar to the characteristics often used to describe the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the five functions and attributes of the PCMH are comprehensive care, patient-centered care, coordinated care across all elements of the broader health care system, accessible services, and a commitment to quality improvement1.