Pediatric medical home: foundations, challenges, and future directions.

The medical home concept has been in existence since the late 1960s and has recently been significantly broadened to encompass comprehensive primary care for all patient populations throughout the lifespan. This article provides (1) a review of the foundations and evolution of the medical home concept; (2) an analysis of patient/family, provider, and systemic challenges to developing an effective pediatric medical home particularly in relation to children's mental health needs; and (3) a discussion of future directions for its further adoption and successful implementation. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.