A return to old-fashioned family doctors?

Going to round after round of doctor's appointments can be confusing, but that experience could ease soon as the “medical home” model of health care is implemented across the country.

It sounds like a place, but a medical home is actually an approach to medical care that is built around what the patient needs rather than what the medical office or insurance company needs. It may be provided by your private-practice doctor's office or your HMO, PPO or other health care organizations.

“A medical home is like an old-fashioned family doctor who really knows you,” says Dr. Robert Reid of Seattle's Group Health Research Institute. Your medical-home primary-care physician manages your care and stays in charge even as you see specialists as needed.

Reid explains how you'll benefit:

More time. Doctors can see you longer during office visits. You can discuss today's problem and other concerns, too.

Better relationship. You have a strong relationship with your primary physician, who really knows you, your history, your preferences, your needs and your wishes.

Improved communication. Your doctor and health care team reply promptly when you phone or e-mail ” at your convenience" to ask questions, report health status or problems, clarify or modify care instructions, find out whether a symptom can be ignored or treated at home or requires an office visit, tell them what you want to discuss during your next appointment and more.

How do you find a medical home? If your doctor doesn't offer it, check the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative at pcpcc.net. "They keep track of what's happening across the country and will point patients to medical-home practices," Reid says.