Dive Brief:
- The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress has thrown its support behind the Joint Commission's restatement in June approving non-physician-led patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs). Issuing a public statement July 28, the group asserted that doctors of chiropractic (D.C.s) are trained to both serve and lead within the PCMH setting.
- In early June, the Joint Commission restated its long-held position that nurse-led care teams could qualify for its primary care medical home certification. The restatement was included on a FAQ page posted June 3 on its website.
- Later in June, the American Medical Association House of Delegates disputed the Joint Commission's suggestion that a non-physician could lead a PCMH team. But AMA delegates backed off a previous call to initiate a study comparing the cost and quality of care of nurse- and physician-led practices.
Dive Insight:
"Collaboration between providers is a central element to achieving the high quality and cost-effective goals of the PCMH model," Gerard Clum, D.C., the chiropractic group's spokesman said. "Particularly, for patients with conditions such as low back pain, neck pain and headaches, evidence supports chiropractic as a suitable option that presents greater opportunity for superior outcomes."
According to Modern Healthcare, the Joint Commission has accredited 1,100-plus PCMHs without requiring physician leadership, while NCQA has recognized about 7,500 medical homes since May 2008, also without requiring that they be physician-led. Physician leadership of PCMHs also is not required by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and URAC.
In June, AMA's delegates approved a report setting forth guidelines for physician-led healthcare teams that call for care to be prioritized by the healthcare team and approved by the team's physician leader. AMA said it stressed the need for teamwork; the American Association of Nurse Practitioners responded that a patient's needs should determine who leads a team and leadership should not be "defined by a profession." Now enter the chiropractors.