Primary Care Visit Cadence and Hospital Admissions in High-Risk Patients
The article from AJMC investigates the association between frequent primary care visits and reduced hospitalizations among high-risk patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It concludes that patients who maintained a high cadence of primary care visits had significantly lower rates of hospitalization compared to those with fewer visits.Â
Contributions to the VBC Field:
Regular primary care visits are integral to value-based primary care, aligning with the shift towards rewarding healthcare providers for the quality rather than the quantity of care.
The study underscores the potential of high-cadence primary care visits in reducing hospitalizations among high-risk patients, contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
Emphasizes that frequent, regular primary care can serve as a proactive healthcare management tool, especially within capitation reimbursement models, to address complex patient needs and prevent hospitalizations.
Areas for Future Research Improvement:
Future studies should explore the specific mechanisms by which visit cadence influences patient outcomes, including the effectiveness of visit cadence programs across different healthcare models and patient populations.
Investigate patient engagement in visit cadence programs, the impact of visit cadence on various patient outcomes under different payer arrangements, and the long-term effects of quality improvement programs.
Assess the potential of personalized visit frequency recommendations, leveraging advanced computational models to tailor to individual patient risk profiles and preferences.
Reference:
Matsil A, Shenfeld D, Fields C, Yao A, Clair J. Primary care visit cadence and hospital admissions in high-risk patients. Am J Manag Care. Published online February 27, 2024. doi:10.37765/ajmc.2024.89509