Patient Centered Medical Home Care Among Near-Old and Older Race/Ethnic Minorities in the US: Findings from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey

J Immigr Minor Health. 2017 Dec;19(6):1271-1280. doi: 10.1007/s10903-016-0491-2.

Abstract

Access to Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) care has not been explored among older racial/ethnic minorities. We used data on adults 55-years and older from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2008-2013). We account for five features of PCMH experiences and focus on respondents self-identifying as Non-Latino White, Black, and Latino. We used regression models to examine associations between PCMH care and its domains and race/ethnicity and decomposition techniques to assess contribution to differences by predisposing, enabling and health need factors. We found low overall access and significant racial/ethnic variations in experiences of PCMH. Our results indicated strong deficiencies in access to a personal primary care physician provided healthcare. Factors contributing to differences in reported PCMH experiences relative to Whites differed by racial/ethnic grouping. Policy initiatives aimed at addressing accessibility to personal physician directed healthcare could potentially reduce racial/ethnic differences while increasing national access to PCMH care.

Keywords: Healthcare quality; PCMH; Primary care; Racial/ethnic disparities.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Black or African American
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Status
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Minority Groups / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient-Centered Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Physicians, Primary Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Racial Groups / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States
  • White People