Article published on International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI, October 5, 2021

Authors: Zoe Zon Be Lim 1,ORCID, Mumtaz Mohamed Kadir 1, Mimaika Luluina Ginting 1, Hubertus Johannes Maria Vrijhoef 2,3, Joanne Yoong 1,4,5 and Chek Hooi Wong 1,6,7.

Abstract
Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) has been found to improve care for complex needs patients in some countries but has not yet been widely adopted in Singapore. This study explored the ground-up implementation of a PCMH in Singapore by describing change strategies and unpacking initial experience and perception. In-depth interviews were conducted for twenty-two key informants from three groups: the implementers, their implementation partners, and other providers. “Diffusion of innovations” emerged as an overarching theory to contextualize PCMH in its early implementation. Three core “innovations” differentiated the PCMH from usual primary care: (i) team-based and integrated care; (ii) empanelment; and (iii) shared care with other general practitioners. Change strategies employed to implement these innovations included repurposing pre-existing resources, building a partnership to create supporting infrastructure and pathways in the delivery system, and doing targeted outreach to introduce the PCMH. Initial experience and perception were characterized by processes to “adopt” and “assimilate” the innovations, which were identified as challenging due to less predictable, self-organizing behaviors by multiple players. To work with the inherent complexity and novelty of the innovations, time, leadership, standardized methods, direct communication, and awareness-building efforts are needed.

This study was retrospectively registered (Protocol ID: NCT04594967). View Full-Text

Keywords: Patient-Centered Medical Home; primary care; innovation; implementation; complex needs; adoption; assimilation