Date: 03/08/2006
Final
Commission on Family Medicine
COMMITTEE ON JOINT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
11:26 AM -- Commission on Family Medicine
Antonette DeLauro, Chair of the Commission on Family Medicine; Dr. Austin Bailey, Director of Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency; Dr. Patrick Sankovitz, Director of Saint Anthony Family Medicine Residency; and Dr. Kent Voorhees, Director of Swedish Family Medicine Residency, came to the table to make the presentation together. A report was distributed to committee members (Attachment D). Ms. DeLauro discussed the importance of primary care in the health care system.
11:31 AM
Dr. Sankovitz, Director of Saint Anthony Family Medicine Residency, stated that problems in health care are both systematic and personal in nature. He stated that 90 percent of health care occurs outside of institutional settings ( i.e., hospitals and clinics) and discussed how the specialty of family medicine fits in to the primary care scheme. He further described the concept of a "medical home." Dr Voorhees discussed the Future of Family Medicine Project, a nationwide survey of what patients are looking for in their doctor/patient relationships. He stated the results reflected current approaches offered by family physicians. Patient desires included their physician's inclusion in the patient's insurance plan and the physician's office being conveniently located. The New Model of Quality Care includes recommendations that came out the project. These recommendations included competency-based physician education, life-long learning by physicians, and an increased role of family medicine in medical schools.
11:43 AM
Dr. Bailey discussed the history of medical care, the effort to improve care, the development of specialty care, and the loss of a close doctor/patient relationship. Medical care has changed from a focus on infection and acquired illness to a focus on lifestyle-associated conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Dr. Bailey discussed the concept of the medical home, including components such as its accessibility and affordability to patients. He stated the medical home must be accountable to payers and patients. Attention to outcomes help improve that accountability. Dr. Bailey and Dr. Voorhees answered questions about the interception of technology and medicine. Dr. Voorhees discussed the benefits of electronic medical records. Dr. Bailey discussed the "conveyor belt" approach to physician/patient visits (i.e., patients seen one after the other) . He stated tis approach formed when the focus was on treating infectious disease. It does not work for the current demand to treatment of lifestyle-based health conditions.
11:54 AM
Representative Riesberg discussed the pressure on doctors to limit the time spent with patients. Dr. Voorhees discussed the current provider reimbursement model and the lack of coverage for consultations. Dr. Sankovitz discussed research into the effect of increased specialization on health outcomes. He stated the research shows outcomes suffered with increased specialization. He attributed the findings to the fact that persons and their illnesses do not exist in a vacuum. He cited the United State's poor birth outcomes despite the high cost of American health care. He attributed such poor health outcomes to a lack of emphasis on primary care. Representative Soper opined on the American health care system. Dr. Bailey stated changing the industrial model of "conveyor belt" medical care is key to improving the health care system.
12:03 PM
Ms. DeLauro concluded the presentation. She stated Colorado is unique in having a Commission on Family Medicine. No other state has a similar group. She stated the commission has fostered discussions and partnerships among different health care professionals (e.g., physicians and insurers). Representative Boyd discussed the importance of the medical home concept.
12:06 PM
The committee adjourned.