Op-Ed Article

It doesn’t take an expert to notice that our health care system is a mess. Increasing costs are placing pressure on patients, physicians, providers and payers; insurance premiums for medical malpractice are becoming prohibitive; and access to care is becoming more and more of an issue, especially for rural patients. There are plenty of fingers pointing at the problems – the high cost of health care and prescription drugs, the high price of health insurance, the pressure to decrease payments to physicians – but not enough hands going up to suggest solutions.

Family doctors have a plan to bring order to this health care chaos through the “New Model” of health care. Family physicians will offer an organized, effective, comprehensive approach to your health – and that of your family.

Family doctors are the first line of defense in today’s complicated health care environment. Today’s family physicians are specialists – in family medicine. We are the whole-person specialists, trained to care for and guide patients at every step along the way, treating 90% of all patient problems, including mental and emotional concerns. Count on a family doctor to provide:

Comprehensive medical care
Care to both genders and all ages, from pediatric to geriatric
Health maitenance and preventative care
Treatment of acute and chronic disease and illness

Studies show that access to primary care through family physicians is associated with improved health outcomes, lower mortality rates, reduced hospital emergency room usage, higher patient satisfaction and less-invasive, lower-cost care.

Family Medicine Week in Washington, proclaimed by Governor Christine Gregoire to occur November 12-18, 2006, is a chance to bring attention to what family physicians are doing to meet the challenges of quality care delivery in the 21st century. The Washington Academy of Family Physicians, representing more than 2,600 family doctors across Washington State, has embraced the New Model of health care, a concept to transform our understanding of good health and good health care. Implementation of these initiatives will provide direct benefits to patients, and will improve the efficiency and reduce costs in the health care system. The New Model encompasses:

The Personal Medical Home. As the headline says, everyone deserves a family physician. With a family physician, patients have a personal medical home – a comprehensive care setting to provide a point of entry into a system of coordinated, collaborative delivery of medical services. Through an ongoing relationship with a family physician, patients can be sure of care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, integrated, safe and scientifically valid.
Electronic Health Records. Comprehensive patient records that are readily accessible by qualified medical staff (while maintaining patient privacy) make it easier to establish and apply evidence-based standards and provide more cohesive care when specialists are required.
Team Care. A collaborative approach using multidisciplinary health care teams maximizes effective time with patients and provides peer motivation and learning opportunities.
A “Whole Person” Approach. It bears repeating that family doctors take responsibility for treating the breadth of potential health concerns – physical, emotional, family, children to the aged – and they do so because they recognize the connections between physical and mental health, maternal and infant health, lifestyle and aging issues.
The Chronic Care Model. Establishing standards, monitoring treatment, and promoting awareness and response from patients improves the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and hypertension.
Quality Assessment. Establishing effective quality measurements – not dollars or productivity numbers – improves performance and service levels by doctors. Evidence-based medical and pharmaceutical use guidelines, technology assessments, and pay-for-performance based on physicians’ input and expertise results in cost savings, expanded access and high-quality care.

Demand for family physicians is increasing across Washington and across the nation. Yet, the number of US family medicine graduates has declined nearly 50% since 1997 – while other subspecialties have increased. To keep pace with this demand, more medical students choosing family medicine are truly needed. A proposal to expand the University of Washington School of Medicine with 20 first year students will be considered by the 2007 legislature and deserves support.

At the Washington Academy of Family Physicians, we strongly believe that having a family doctor in your life makes a difference. Everyone deserves a family physician – dedicated to your health, your family’s health, and the health of the community.

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