The present model has the primary care physician as the provider and gatekeeper of patient care. They evaluate the patient, obtain consultation, admit to the hospital (the hospitalists have taken over this role), and are the general coordinators of care. However, this model in theory works well; it has proven to be ineffective. This is no criticism of the concept but the complexity of modern medicine has made this very difficult for the average family practice unit.
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| Current Model |
The family physician is supposed be the “gatekeeper” of resources and keep people out of other venues like Emergency Departments and urgent cares.
The problem is that the general public has voted “with their feet” that they prefer the family doctor when they are well, but the Emergency Department when they perceive themselves to be quite ill and the urgent care for quick, convenient care. Call any doctor’s office and the first non-human response is: “If this is an EMERGENCY call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.”
At the present time Emergency Department Services comprise approximately 2% of the nation’s annual healthcare expenditures.
Almost every ED has the built-in infrastructure to accommodate large number of patients which could be expanded. These are centrally located in most communities and already are the de facto safety net of the United States.
Make the ED the central piece of an organized system of emergency department, urgent care, family physicians with an integrated use of consultants.
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| New Model |
Advantages are:
- Lack of duplication of hard assets
- Patients already prefer the ED
- Coordination of care
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