The Journal of ambulatory care management
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J Ambul Care Manage · Jul 2012
Medical home and emergency department utilization among children with special health care needs: an analysis of the 2005-2006 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs.
The purpose of this article was to determine whether medical home associated with reduction in emergency department utilization by children with special health care needs. The study comprised 40 723 children participating in the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. ⋯ Presence of medical home for severely limited children was associated with fewer ED visits (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.70). Additional studies are warranted to explore specific components of a medical home and ED use.
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J Ambul Care Manage · Jul 2012
The commissioning reforms in the English National Health Service and their potential impact on primary care.
Reform of the National Health Service in England will increase power and responsibility for family doctors. They will have a larger role in planning and buying health care including control of substantial budgets. ⋯ This article considers the effect of the new clinical role in commissioning health care, changes to the accountability structures, and the effect on competition and integration within health services. It also considers the effect of new financial incentives and the possibility of creating conflicts of interest.
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J Ambul Care Manage · Jul 2012
The quality and outcomes framework in the United kingdom: indicators in transition.
The United Kingdom's pay-for-performance system, the Quality and Outcomes Framework, continues to evolve. Since its inception in 2004, the Quality and Outcomes Framework has provided a strong focus on evidence-based performance targets that remains a dominant theme. ⋯ In 2011, a new policy direction became apparent. New indicators accounting for almost 10% of the Quality and Outcomes Framework will be determined by achievement of targets reflecting the efficient use of health service resources.