95th MDG to test new family medical health care model Published Aug. 6, 2008 By Maj. Caroline Plahuta 95th Medical Group EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 95th Medical Group Clinic was recently selected to be a test site for a new model of family health care. It will be designed to permit greater flexibility in scheduling patient appointments, while allowing family-focused practice providers to get to know their patients better. The goal is to create an enjoyable and productive environment, which promotes and delivers world-class healthcare to the community. One way the 95th MDG hopes to improve the care they deliver is through consistent appointments with the same provider. It is unlikely that every appointment will be with the same provider because of urgent care needs and provider availability, but the 95th MDG will strive to make it so. Greater flexibility for scheduling appointments with team providers can facilitate a relationship consistent with the best medical practices. Routine clinic visits will be scheduled during four-and-a-half-hour blocks with appointments every 15 minutes. Providers will have a portion every day in order to manage more complex medical issues. This time will be managed by the medical staff, providing the opportunity to schedule longer appointments for more complex conditions. Family health teams will work hand in hand with a new team of nurses whose primary focus is the management of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes. As a result, the team will work with the disease management group to focus even more on your wellness and preventive medicine. This approach will allow the team to monitor and manage chronic diseases. The clinic will implement Family Health Optimization on Aug. 20. To accommodate this new model, clinic hours will change to offer more time in the day for booked appointments. The clinic will have patient appointments available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 95th MDG will be closed every Thursday for mandatory training from 7 to 9 a.m.