Patient-centred primary care in Canada. Bring it on home. Discussion Paper

2009 Oct
College of Family Physicians of Canada.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) recommends the introduction of the medical home concept for the people of Canada; incorporating the strengths of medical home models elsewhere in the world with the primary care renewal experiences currently unfolding across Canada.

A medical home is a patient-centred medical care setting where: 1) patients have a personal family physician who provides and directs their medical care; 2) care is for the patient as a whole; 3) care is coordinated, continuous and comprehensive with patients having access to an inter-professional team; 4) there is enhanced access for appointments; 5) the practice includes well-supported information technology, including an electronic medical record; 6) remuneration supports the model of care; and 7) quality improvement and patient safety are key objectives.

The CFPC sees the Canadian medical home built with the ongoing relationship between the patient and his or her family doctor serving as its foundation and the pillars noted above as its main supports.