Improving Our Nation’s Health Care System: Inclusion of Chiropractic in Patient-Centered Medical Homes and Accountable Care Organizations

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SOURCE:   J Chiropractic Humanities 2014 (Dec);   21 (1);   49–64

William C. Meeker, DC, MPH,
R.W. Watkins, MD, MPH,
Karl C. Kranz, DC, JD,
Scott D. Munsterman, DC,
Claire Johnson, DC, MSEd

President,
Palmer College of Chiropractic West,
90 E Tasman Dr,
San Jose, CA 95134
+1 408 944 6005

Objective   This report summarizes the closing plenary session of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges Educational Conference—Research Agenda Conference 2014. The purpose of this session was to examine patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations from various speakers’ viewpoints and to discuss how chiropractic could possibly work within, and successfully contribute to, the changing health care environment.

Discussion   The speakers addressed the complex topic of patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations and provided suggestions for what leadership strategies the chiropractic profession may need to enhance chiropractic participation and contribution to improving our nation’s health.

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Conclusion   There are many factors involved in the complex topic of chiropractic inclusion in health care models. Major themes resulting from this panel included the importance of building relationships with other professionals, demonstrating data and evidence for what is done in chiropractic practice, improving quality of care, improving health of populations, and reducing costs of health care.

Key indexing terms:   Chiropractic, Patient-centered care, Insurance, Delivery of health care

From the FULL TEXT Article:

Introduction

In its search to provide better, more affordable, and accessible health care, the United States is moving towards new models, such as patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) and accountable care organizations (ACOs). [1, 2]. The PCMH model aims at patient-centered, accessible, coordinated, comprehensive care, with a focus on improving quality of care and lowering costs. [1, 3]. Chiropractic care has traditionally fit this paradigm, with an aim to be patient centered, accessible, and affordable. [4-14]. The chiropractic approach to health care is particularly suited for the conservative treatment and management of spinal disorders. [15, 16]. However, we need to ask if chiropractic is well suited for the PCMH and ACO models. As health care is changing, more efforts are needed for collaboration and coordination within the overall health care system.

There are many socioecological factors on the individual, institutional, community, and policy levels that are essential to successful inclusion of chiropractic in PCMHs or ACOs. [1, 17-20]. This is an emerging field, and there have been no articles published in this area that include chiropractic in the discussion of PCMHs or ACOs. Therefore, the Association of Chiropractic Colleges Educational Conference — Research Agenda Conference (ACCRAC) planning committee decided to have a focused plenary session on the topic of PCMHs and ACOs at the 2014 conference held in Orlando, FL; Saturday, March 22, 2014.

The purpose of this panel presentation was to address the complex topic of PCMHs and ACOs from various speakers’ viewpoints and to provide suggestions for what leadership strategies the chiropractic profession may need to consider to enhance chiropractic participation and contributions to improving the nation’s health.

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