Allyson G. Hall, Ph.D., an associate professor in the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions’ department of health services research, management and policy, has received a $250,000 grant from the Aetna Foundation to support a two-year study of the relationship between primary care medical homes, patient engagement and care outcomes.
In a medical home model, primary care providers coordinate a patient’s care throughout the entire health care system and provide patient-centered care, Hall said.
“While there is some emerging evidence of the effectiveness of medical homes, their actual impact on patient health and health care remains relatively unexplored,” Hall said.
The study will involve patients with diabetes who are seen at primary care clinics in Jacksonville, Fla. Hall will use patient surveys, clinical administrative data, and in-depth interviews with clinic staff to understand whether medical homes impact health and health care by increasing the level of patient engagement.