The Transformation of Home-Based Medical Care
“I am a 67-year-old retired physician. I had to retire due to several serious health issues. One of the benefits that I received through my health plan was to liaise with Prospero. I have taken advantage of the resources from various health agencies, but I was new to Prospero… and I was hesitant. However, the best decision I ever made was to engage in work with Prospero.”
Dr. Alice Johnson
As a retired physician with multiple chronic conditions, Dr. Johnson has seen the traditional healthcare system from all angles. She understands firsthand that the conventional healthcare system is not equipped to handle the needs of aging patients and those with severe long-term medical conditions.
Her story is just one example of the millions of Americans managing multiple complex conditions and trying to navigate a traditional healthcare system that is not designed to support their needs. Since turning to home-based medical care, she has become a vocal supporter of Prospero’s services.
Why is Traditional Care Facing a Home-Based Care Evolution?
Home-based medical care is one of the ways that our healthcare system adapts to meet the demands of patients. By meeting them where they are and adjusting to their life circumstances, the healthcare system can provide more personalized care to the most vulnerable patients.
While there are people of all ages battling complex conditions, the CDC reports that nearly 86% of individuals aged 65+ have one or more chronic diseases. Additionally, data shows individuals diagnosed with one or more complex conditions require more and higher-cost healthcare services. Yet, this population segment is often underserved by traditional healthcare solutions.
Thankfully, home-based medical care is rising to meet this challenge! Home-based medical care give patients more accessible care, improved health outcomes, higher patient satisfaction, and lower costs.
In this article, we will explore the story of Dr. Alice Johnson, a former physician and current Prospero patient, to see how home-based medical care addresses gaps in traditional care while enabling patients to receive treatment and recover at home.
What Services are Offered by Home-Based Medical Care Providers
“I really look at Prospero as more than just home care services. It’s the nursing care that helps to support my home care services, as well as physician services too.”
Home-based medical care differs from traditional care options because the medical attention the patient needs is provided right in the comfort of their home. Home-based care teams offer clinical services such as taking vitals, drawing blood, mobile x-rays, and pain management.
When care providers are in a patient’s home, they can spend more time engaging directly with the patient and caregivers, identifying safety issues, checking on nutrition, inspecting prescription medications, and more.
In contrast, traditional care options typically require patients to attend medical visits out of the house, only adding to the burden of care for families and the stress for their loved ones. Without a home-based medical care team, patients are more likely to become non-compliant with medications or treatments, fail to schedule or attend follow-up appointments, and have otherwise avoidable trips to the hospital.
Non-Medical Factors Play an Important Role in Patient Health
It is essential to pay attention to all aspects of a patient’s life, not just medical treatments, to help maintain their quality of life and ensure their comfort and confidence living at home. Four out of five physicians consider non-medical factors, also known as Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), equally as crucial to patient outcomes as medical conditions. SDOH include conditions and environments that affect health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes, such as social isolation or nutrition.
Yet, in traditional care models, providers do not feel confident addressing and working with patients on these factors. In addition, some patients with long-term chronic conditions may need non-medical assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) that are far beyond the scope of a physician’s guidance.
Home-based medical care providers can help bridge this gap. While these services aren’t considered direct medical care, ADLs and SDOH are crucial to the overall health and well-being of the patient. As a result, home-based medical care providers partner with home healthcare agencies and other resources to ensure patients receive the full scope of help and services they need. In addition, these partnering home care agencies can offer non-medical services such as bathing, basic hygiene, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, housekeeping, grocery shopping, and more.
The Benefits of Home-Based Medical Care
“When I really started deeply engaging with Prospero, the quality of my life and health improved. It’s allowed me to stay independent and at home.”
The home-based care revolution is an effective and affordable solution that benefits both patients and healthcare providers. Some of the significant benefits of home-based medical care include:
• Easier access to quality care
• Improved health outcomes
• Reduction in annual mortality rates
• Higher patient satisfaction
• Lower patient health costs
• Higher completion of end-of-life planning and advanced directives
• Better compliance with treatment plans
• Reduction in unnecessary trips to the emergency room
• Lower hospitalization rates
Home-Based Medical Care Helps Patients and Providers
“I learned firsthand what quality healthcare was and how it really should be. My standards of what I expect from a healthcare provider, nurses, and Prospero are very, very high. And as I mentioned, Prospero has truly delivered that for me.”
Home-based medical care goes beyond offering better patient outcomes; it also helps unburden primary care doctors who are faced with strained time and support resources in the current healthcare system.
In traditional healthcare, doctors only have so much time with each patient. For example, a 2018 study shows that most physicians spend between 13 and 24 minutes with patients, with less than 10% of doctors spending more than 25 minutes.
In contrast, home-based medical care providers routinely spend 46 to 60 minutes with a patient and their families. This additional time paints a complete picture for providers and a better understanding of patients and the factors impacting their overall health and well-being.
How Is Prospero’s Approach to Home-Based Medical Care Driving Change in Healthcare?
“I tried some agencies to help me manage my health challenges, but Prospero’s been the first medical provider that could do it all-encompassing. It wasn’t just nitpicking my neurological problem or my heart problem.”
Dr. Alice Johnson
Prospero works collaboratively to support the care given by primary care doctors and other specialists. Working alongside multiple providers, family members, and the patients themselves, our care team creates a personalized health plan considering all aspects of the patient’s medical condition and ensures comfort throughout the treatment process.
An Experienced and Professional Care Team Available 24/7
“My Prospero nurse is in regular contact with me, at least once a week, sometimes twice a week. We have done Zoom calls. She also will come and visit me in person. I have her personal number, and the nurses are on call for Prospero at any time that I need them.”
Prospero patients have a reliable, reoccurring point of contact. In addition, a full team of certified and experienced health professionals will work collaboratively to ensure that all aspects of a patient’s needs are met and that they are happy with their care.
With Prospero, a care team is always just a phone call away. We can provide medical care at any time, 24/7, where it is most comfortable for our patients. The healthcare professionals on the care team can include:
• Doctors/physicians
• Physician’s assistants
• Skilled nurse practitioners
• Mental health professionals
• Physical therapists
• Social workers
• Care specialists
• …and more
Who Qualifies for Prospero’s Home-Based Medical Care?
Prospero is currently offering our home-based medical care services in 28 states and counting. Our goal is to work with families throughout the country to empower their loved ones to remain at home to recover. Patients qualify for in-home medical services through their health plan or provider group. Eligible patients have complex health needs, including multiple chronic conditions, and live in our service areas. To find out if your patient is eligible, call us at 1-888-608-0499.
“My experience with Prospero is that, anytime I have needed them, they have been there for me instantly. So, I feel like, for me and for my health care, I have this big guardrail of safety.”
Contact Our Team for More Information on Home-Based Medical Care
Contact our team for more information on home healthcare and how it can benefit your patients. We can walk you through our care model, get to know your unique circumstance, and discuss options for home-based medical care. In addition, we encourage you to read our stories from our patients, families, and caregivers to give you an idea of how we can help!