In this study, researchers evaluated the impact of a program with comprehensive care physicians (CCPs) on care quality and hospitalization rates.

The CCP model features physicians who care for patient both at the clinic and in the hospital. CCPs make house calls and lead a team of specialists, providers, social workers and care coordinators to address all the needs of high-risk patients. The model was developed using 15 years of research by study director David Meltzer, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine at the University of Chicago and chief of hospital medicine, and colleagues. The model aims to provide better care at lower costs by continuously monitoring patients to prevent further hospitalizations.

The study enrolled 2,000 patients with chronic health conditions, who had been admitted to the hospital at least once in the previous year and were covered by Medicare. Half the participants were assigned to the usual care group while the others were assigned to one of five CCPs. Results showed patients in the CCP group were more satisfied with their care and rated their physicians higher than those in the usual care group.

"Hospitalization rates for CCP patients were 15 to 22 percent lower than for standard care patients," concluded Meltzer. "There's a huge literature suggesting that elements of the doctor-patient relationship, including trust, interpersonal relations, communication and knowledge of the patient, are all associated with lower costs and better outcomes. Our goal is to understand patients' needs so that we can give them the most appropriate care. That should be better for them, produce better outcomes and ultimately be less costly for the healthcare system."