Your Primary Care Medical Home As a patient, navigating through the world of healthcare can be challenging even in the best of circumstances. Access to primary care and a medical home can make the patient experience less challenging and more successful with better outcomes and lower costs for patients. Establishing an early relationship with a primary care doctor or provider and a medical home helps patients set clear health goals and identify risks before they become noticeable. Other benefits of include: An early relationship allows the patient to focus on prevention and wellness Provider serves as a liaison between a patient and any needed subspecialist Provider offers explanation on test or interventions with guidance and medical advice when things seem confusing and even scary Improved access of care for the patient including education, guidance, treatment and ultimately comfort and care A patient-centered medical home is the foundation for improved access to care for patients. It’s also where patients go to find education, guidance, treatment, and ultimately comfort and care. A primary care provider, however, is only part of a patient’s medical home. Key members of a patient’s medical home also include front desk staff members, medical assistants, nurses and scheduling staff members. It may also include other medical professionals who provide patients with resources to be successful in their health. A patient-centered medical home is the foundation on which population health is built and will ultimately drive the success of improving the health of families and patients of western North Carolina.