“Medical Home” - A Standard of Care for Children

The medical home model of care adopted by Core Physicians was recently recognized as the optimal standard of care for pediatric patients in a new policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The AAP discussed the value of the medical home model in a policy statement published in the March 2014 issue of the society's journal, Pediatrics. The AAP emphasizes that retail-based clinics such as those found at pharmacies are an inappropriate source of primary care for children because they fragment children's health care and do not support the medical home.

"The AAP recognizes that convenience and access to care will continue to be important drivers of how health care is delivered," said James Laughlin, MD, FAAP, lead author of the policy statement. "However, the expertise of the pediatrician and the medical home should continue to be recognized as the standard for care of children, and we encourage all AAP members to provide accessible hours and locations as part of a medical home."