4th MDG kicks off Family Health Initiative June 1 Published June 2, 2011 By Capt. Renee Swift 4th Medical Logistics Flight commander SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Medical Group will institute a new model of family health care called the Family Health Initiative here June 1. The Family Health Initiative aims to create a "patient-centered medical home" where continuity of care is key and improved continuity means better medical management. To achieve this, the 4th MDG will strive to consistently offer patients appointments with the same provider. The 4th MDG aligned the family medicine clinic staff into three teams. Each of these teams is led by a physician and includes a physicians assistant or nurse practitioner, a nurse and five medical technicians. The program is designed for patients to be cared for by the same technicians, nurse and provider as a unified family health team every time they visit the clinic. Deployments, increased operations tempo and mission requirements may sometimes require substitutions, however, the goal is to ensure patients see their assigned family health team for the majority of their healthcare visits. Additionally, each family health team will work hand in hand with a newly established team of nurses, the Disease Management Team, whose primary focus is to help patients manage chronic illnesses such a diabetes and asthma. This team's objective is to enhance monitoring and control of these chronic diseases with more focus on wellness and preventive medicine. Patients must still call the appointment line at 919-722-1802 or visit http://www.tricareonline.com to make appointments. The clinic will continue to have patient appointments available from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., except every second Wednesday, when the group closes at 1 p.m. to conduct mandatory training. To measure the success of the family health initiative, the clinic's staff will closely monitor how often patients are able to see the same healthcare team. The goal is to create an enjoyable patient care experience in a productive environment that promotes wellness and delivers world class healthcare to beneficiaries.