PMH timeline
A Patient Medical Home (PMH) is where patients and their families feel most comfortable discussing their health. A flexible vision for family practice, it is the central hub for comprehensive health services centred on the individual. In a PMH, family physicians work collaboratively with their patients and teams of health professionals to provide seamless, coordinated care. Together, they establish and strengthen their relationships, enabling timely access and the best possible outcomes for individuals and communities.
PMH is associated with lower rates of physician burnout and increased satisfaction for patients and physicians. It also enhances delivery of preventative services, improves access and increases quality of care while reducing costs and visits to the ER and hospital.
The PMH model has grown and evolved over several decades. The timeline below illustrates its rise across North America and the milestones that led our province to mandate a PMH for every Albertan.
PMH Timeline
Institute of Medicine mentions the medical home in a report that redefines primary care.
Learn More
1996
Seven U.S. family medicine organizations recommend pursuing medical homes for all Americans.
Learn More
2002
Alberta establishes Primary Care Networks to improve coordination and access to care.
Learn More
2003
The American College of Physicians releases four policy positions supporting the medical home.
Learn More
2006
All major American primary care physician associations endorse the patient-centred medical home.
Learn More
2007
A survey of seven countries finds medical homes are associated with significantly more positive experiences.
Learn More
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) recommends the medical home concept.
Learn More
2009
The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) recommends the patient-centred medical home as a start for their vision of primary care.
Learn More
2010
Enhancing the delivery of care by providing a health home for every Albertan is one of three strategic directions set out by Alberta Health in Alberta’s Primary Health Care Strategy.
Alberta Health commits to providing a health home for every Albertan.
Learn More
2014
The CFPC released their revised vision for Canada, The PMH 2019, which reflects current realities while supporting the same core principles as 2011.
Learn More
2019
At the CWC PCN our mission is to build and sustain a community of Patient Medical Homes. The programs and services we deliver in partnership with our family physicians are designed to support this mission.
To learn more about the Patient Medical Home model, visit the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), the CFPC’s official PMH site and the Alberta Medical Association.
