The Joint Principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home were developed by four physician organizations (the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association). The Joint Principles describe the characteristics of a particular health care model – the “PC-MH.” The Joint Principles served to drive changes in both national and state policy as well as practice transformation, and were foundational to the work of the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative.
The Shared Principles are very aligned with the Joint Principles and also reflect the evolution of primary care over the past decade. They add emphasis on concepts like team-based care, stewardship of resources and health equity, while preserving the Joint Principles’ focus on whole person orientation, coordinated and integrated care, quality and safety, enhanced access, and a payment structure. The Shared Principles were developed by a diverse group of stakeholders, including clinicians involved in primary care, consumers, employers, health plans, behavioral and oral health clinicians, researchers and others.