Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

COXHEALTH MEDICAL CENTER - Springfield, MO  
Family Medical Care Center - A Winning Combination

What is it?  
CoxHealth found synergy between family medicine education and safety-net health care. By linking patients with intern and resident physicians, the health system’s Family Medical Care Center is making a big difference for both patients and physicians. The clinic, which is staffed by interns, residents and Cox Health’s faculty physicians, enables new physicians to train in the specialty of Family Medicine while enabling the community’s otherwise underserved population to find a health care home. 

Who is it for?
Members of the Springfield community, including the uninsured and underinsured population, and family practice intern and resident physicians at CoxHealth.

Why do they do it? 
Patients are provided with regular, affordable access to preventative and nonemergency primary care, and with chronic disease management.  CoxHealth consequently contributes to long-term wellness of the population and minimizes more costly visits to the hospital’s emergency room. Interns and residents benefit by building their family practice expertise, and gaining exposure to indigent care, and the management of chronic conditions.

Impact:
In 2008, the average caseload for the clinic was 2,900 patients per month. Approximately 200 patients per month required hospital admission, and the clinic’s obstetric practice averaged 60 deliveries per month.  By increasing access to care and reinforcing compassion, CoxHealth has created a Caring Connection with its community. Most resident physicians leave the program with a desire to continue servicing communities in need and continue to care for Medicaid, Medicare and uninsured patients in private practice.

Contact:   Vickie Greenwood
Residency Administrator
Telephone:   417-269-8733
E-mail:  Vickie.greenwood@coxhealth.com