The goal of U.S. Preventive Medicine® is to advance clinical preventive services with the knowledge that promoting wellness is more desirable and cost-effective than treating disease, in cases where disease can be prevented or detected early. The benefits of prevention are best realized when hospitals, physicians, and patients partner to accomplish these goals.
The U.S. Preventive Medicine® Network includes hospitals and physician groups who believe in this mission.
Historically, clinical preventive services have been sought by the most educated and financially-able of the population, who have appreciated the value of these services. In many cases, however, these services have been offered in a piecemeal manner or have not been available in convenient locations. Through the Centers for Preventive Medicine® these preventive services are delivered in a branded and complete manner to insure consistency. The Centers for Preventive Medicine® incorporate state of the art diagnostic technologies (imaging and laboratory) and extensive consultative time from physicians who are committed to and trained in the delivery of preventive services, to provide an experience that is customized for each patient’s needs. At the conclusion of the day’s experience each patient leaves with a binder and an electronic USB key – MyMedDrive – containing the Center’s testing results and the physician’s recommendations.
The advantage to physicians in being able to practice this type of medicine is the ability to dedicate the time needed to address the specific needs of patients and their concerns about specific risks of future disease. The goal of U.S. Preventive Medicine is to engage patients in a way so they will seek lifelong advice from their Center physician and in many cases will choose their Center physician as their primary care provider. In some cases, physicians may choose to practice in the Center on a fulltime basis, transforming their practice to the Center model of preventive services.
Physicians practicing full time or part time in a Center for Preventive Medicine are associating themselves with a “movement” of preventive health that will gain respect from the community and other physicians alike, and will attract like-minded patients. In keeping with the need to expand clinical preventive services to the population at large, U.S. Preventive Medicine is rolling out the Prevention Plan to employers, hospitals, and communities to emphasize the need for basic clinical preventive services. In many cases these services may be available through current employee benefits but are not being utilized by employees. Test results are often not being followed up as action items for lifestyle and treatment changes. Many employers offer coverage for clinical preventive services but fall short of what is necessary to properly detect risk factors or disease. The Prevention Plan will identify employees at risk of disease and provide the analysis of Health Risk Assessments and Prevention Plan screening tests to Prevention Plan affiliated physicians. These physicians will then be able to appropriately monitor risk factors, lifestyle changes, and make the needed treatment decisions. The physician efforts will be aided by the trained and qualified Health Coaches provided to employers by U.S. Preventive Medicine. Health Coaches offer telephonic and internet lifestyle coaching and encouragement. The Health Coaches will also be reminding employees of needed follow-up with you, their Prevention Plan physician. Physician compensation will be based on the degree of involvement with the Prevention Plan. This includes even the review of the Health Risk Assessment and screening tests of the employees covered by the Prevention Plan.
To become a Prevention Plan affiliated physician you must be committed to the concept of prevention and participate in the CME course currently being developed for U.S. Preventive Medicine by the University of South Florida. The Category I approved CME course will be available in person several times per year or on the internet and will be constantly updated to incorporate new research and findings in preventive services.
Involvement in either the Center for Preventive Medicine or the Prevention Plan will provide you with the tools to enhance clinical preventive services in your community with the knowledge that you are being proactive by offering your patients and the community the access to the best and latest in preventive care. Please ask your hospital administrator how you can become involved with U.S. Preventive Medicine or contact U.S. Preventive Medicine directly.