Health Affairs Blog-Grandparent Corps: New Primary Care Model

by Arthur Garson,Margaret Whitehead,Tracy Buni,Catherine Sommers, and Karen Rheuban.

We propose to change the paradigm of care with the creation of a new model of the health care continuum by establishing teams that begin with the patient. Patients must take greater ownership of their health (for example, reducing smoking and obesity) and also need to understand when visits to physicians are necessary and whether visits with other members of a health care team are appropriate. These teams will also include community health workers, nurses, advanced practice nurses, primary care physicians, and specialists. This model of greater training and greater responsibility leveraging members of a health care team has been articulated by generalist physicians to address shortages in primary care, and in recognition that physicians do not need to provide all care.
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