BUILDING AND SUSTAINING VIRTUAL PATIENT MEDICAL HOMES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the [redacted] Primary Care Network’s ([redacted] PCN) ability to support 61 primary care practices in building and sustaining virtual Patient Medical Homes (PMHs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed methods evaluation determined that the [redacted] PCN achieved this mandate. The organization provided physician members with access to allied health care team members using virtual platforms. Care coordinators continued to optimize the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) from their home offices. Patient care remained of high quality, revealed through the analysis of patient experience data collected both before and during the pandemic. Despite a new requirement to work remotely, healthcare teams remained collaborative. The number of clinics that the PCN supported in improvement work remained steady as the pandemic progressed in March and thereafter.