Spring 2010
PMH STORY by Allan R. Kelly MD FACP
On Sunday morning a young man wakes up and discovers a rash. What should he do? Rashes can be serious – the patient needs to see a doctor soon, but the doctor’s office is closed on the weekend. The young man started a new and vital medication two weeks ago, and this could be an allergic reaction.
As a PMH Subscriber, the young man has access to his doctor 24/7, so he is able to get in touch with his doctor immediately via cell phone, even on Sunday morning. In this case, the doctor is on his way to the hospital to make rounds when he receives the call. He meets the young man at the hospital, allowing him to bypass the ER. The doctor quickly assesses the problem, determines that the rash is a reaction to the new medication, recommends care, and schedules a follow-up visit, all within an hour.
For a patient who is not a PMH Subscriber, emergency care necessitates visiting the emergency room or an urgent care clinic. These options are time-consuming, expensive, and require the patient to be treated by an unfamiliar doctor who has no prior knowledge of the patient’s medical history, conditions, or medications.
For PMH Subscribers, enhanced communications options enabled the young man to see his primary care doctor without delay, eliminating hurdles and expenses. As the patient’s primary care provider, the PMH doctor is familiar with the patient and can recall critical medical information from prior visits. And importantly, the follow-up visit will be with the same doctor who examined and treated the patient on Sunday.
We believe that such availability and responsiveness improves care while simultaneously reducing costs. In this scenario, the patient had a better experience at a lower cost, and he can be confident in the doctor’s ongoing attention and care. We call this a Premium Medical Home experience.
RISK ASSOCIATED WITH CT SCAN FREQUENCY by Allan Kelly MD FACP
“Healthcare topics are receiving significant coverage in the media, and one issue that has received considerable public attention concerns testing and screening procedures. Medical institutions are changing their recommendations for frequency of screenings like mammography, and physicians have to balance these recommendations with what is appropriate for their patients…….”
DISCUSSION ABOUT A FORT WORTH MEDICAL SCHOOL by Robert Kelly MD FACP
“The four most common cancers in the United States are cervical/prostate cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer. The most common cause of cancer death is lung cancer, followed by cancer of the colon…..”
CAUSES OF CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES by Robert Kelly MD FACP
“The four most common cancers in the United States are cervical/prostate cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer. The most common cause of cancer death is lung cancer, followed by cancer of the colon…..”
Medical Quotes:
“The practice of medicine is predominantly a humanistic act. Physicians must care about their patients, and they must constantly improve their scientific knowledge about disease. To care and not know is dangerous. To know and not care is even worse. Caring and knowing must be combined to succeed in doctoring.” –
– J. Willis Hurst, MD