Patient Centered Medical Home: What May Be on the Horizon for Urologists.

INTRODUCTION

Medicine has used acronyms for hundreds of years to describe clinical conditions.

METHODS

In urology the acronyms BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), ED (erectile dysfunction), IC (interstitial cystitis) and AUR (acute urinary retention) are examples with which we are all familiar. Today we use acronyms to describe the organizational and structural aspects of medicine.

RESULTS

The 2 most recent medical acronyms are PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and ACO (accountable care organization). Now a new acronym, PCMH (patient centered medical home), is looming on the horizon. This article defines patient centered medical home, discusses its purpose and finally attempts to predict its impact on clinical urological practices.

CONCLUSIONS

At this time no menu is yet available for specialty groups, including urologists, to engage their participation in patient centered medical homes.