WHAT IS A MEDICAL HOME?

A pediatric medical home is defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as having the following characteristics:
The medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults ideally should be accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective.

It should be delivered or directed by well-trained physicians who provide primary care and help to manage and facilitate essentially all aspects of pediatric care.

The physician should be known to the child and family, and be able to develop a partnership of mutual responsibility and trust.

A medical home is a way to provide high quality health care services that best meet the needs of your child and your family. It is not a building, house or hospital. It is a partnership between you and your family and your primary care doctor,  the nurses and clinic staff, and the administrative and billing staff. Together, you make sure that the medical and non medical needs of your child are met.

YOUR CHILD'S MEDICAL HOME

As your medical home, we are a central resource for all your child's care needs. In a Medical Home, the medical provider and their staff who see your child for routine checkups, rely on your input as the expert to your child's overall care.  We want you to feel like you are the most important part of the health care team, and that you are invited to participate in all aspects of your child's care!

OUR MEDICAL HOME TEAM:

• Respects your child and your family

• Shares information with you and includes you in decisions

• Provides primary health care including regular checkups, developmental screening, vaccines and illness visits
• Helps you plan for and manage any chronic health problems
• Finds specialists when they are needed
• Helps connect you to resources in the community

HOW CAN YOUR FAMILY HELP?

• Below are a list of things you can do to get the best health care for your child: If you need it, ask for extra time when you schedule your doctor visits.

• Bring a list of current medications including doses to your doctors visits.

• Share the names of Specialists your child may be also seeing.
• Make sure any Specialists have our fax number to send reports to us.
• Share any changes with your doctor.
• Celebrate successes and talk about challenges.
• Ask for something to be explained if you don't understand.
• Work together to make a plan.
• Ask for information to be written down.
• Keep a folder or notebook with your child's health information.
• Let your doctor and staff know things they are doing right.