Outcomes for Children with Chronic Conditions Associated with Parent- and Provider-reported Measures of the Medical Home

Purpose: Assess relationships between having a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) and health care utilization among low-income children with chronic conditions using parent and practice perspectives.

Methods: We analyzed data from 240 publicly insured children with chronic conditions. Parents completed surveys assessing PCMH access and their child's primary care practice completed the Medical Home Index (MHI) self-assessment. Multivariate negative binomial analyses were conducted to investigate relationships between PCMH and service use.

Results: Parent-report of a usual source of care was associated with lower rates of emergency care (ED) encounters and hospitalizations. Practice report of higher organizational capacity (e.g., communication, staff education) was associated with lower rates of ED visits and hospitalizations. Parent report of a PCMH was positively associated with practice MHI score.

Conclusions: Among low-income children with chronic conditions, having a usual source of care and higher quality organizational capacity were associated with lower rates of ED visits and hospitalizations.