Report finds new model of care can improve quality, lower costs and increase physician ...( ancial viability of primary care in ord...),Health

Researchers included in the financial modeling 10 features of the New Model that have a direct effect on practices and are most amenable to modeling, including open access scheduling, online appointments, electronic health records, group visits, e-mail consultations, chronic disease management, Web-based patient information, a team approach to care, the use of clinical practice guideline software and outcomes analysis.

The New Model Practice Resource Center is designed to assist family physicians in transforming their practices to the New Model of Family Medicine. The initial focus of the Practice Resource Center is to develop, implement and evaluate a National Demonstration Project that will provide on-going consultation and support to demonstration practices and assist them with the implementation of technology. The Center, a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary of the AAFP, will be established in the first quarter of 2005.

While the initial focus of the Practice Resource Center will be to support the pilot practices, future plans call for the Center to expand its service offering to family physicians across the country. In future phases, the Center will provide family physicians in small to medium-size group practices fully integrated and prepackaged products and services, including the expertise and experience with implementing the New Model with ease. By forging partnerships with technology vendors, developing customized and integrated product and service packages, refining existing products to meet family physicians' needs and providing consultation, advice and training to practices, the Practice Resource Center will assist family medicine practices in transitioning to the New Model of Care. An initial offering of Practice Resource Center products and services to early adopters of the New Model is expected in 2006.

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Contact: Angela Lower
alower@aafp.org
913-906-6253
American Academy of Family Physicians
2-Dec-2004