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    South Africa envisages a community-orientated approach to primary health care (PHC). Family physicians and primary care doctors have important roles to play in leading, implementing, supporting and maintaining community-orientated primary care (COPC). In this article, we define COPC, its key principles and approaches to implementing it in health services. Following this we describe the key competencies expected of family physicians and primary care doctors in leading and supporting its implementation; providing clinical support to the PHC teams and linking these teams to other parts of the health system, other sectors and the community. The required knowledge and skills underlying these competencies are also discussed and some specific tools included.
    Family doctors
    Community Health
    Family health
    Citations (6)
    This paper (i) describes the main elements of the system of primary health care in the UK, (ii) identifies the major policy changes that have tkaen place in relation to the sector over the last 15 years, and (iii) analyses a number of key developemnts in terms of the research evidence on policy and practice. Particular attention is devoted to the reforms involving general practitioner (GP) fundholding, the total purchasing (TP) pilot sites, the primary medical services (PMS) pilot sites and newly formed primary care groups (PCGs). The paper concludes with some prelimiary commparative analysis between primary care in the UK and Japan.
    Citations (0)
    There is emerging evidence that strong primary care achieves better health at lower costs. Although primary care can be measured, in many countries, including Austria, there is little understanding of primary care development. Assessing the primary care development in Austria. A primary care assessment tool developed by Barbara Starfield in 1998 was implemented in Austria. This tool defines 15 primary care characteristics and distinguishes between system and practice characteristics. Each characteristic was evaluated by six Austrian primary care experts and rated as 2 (high), 1 (intermediate) or 0 (low) points, respectively, to their primary care strength (maximum score: n = 30). Austria received 7 out of 30 points; no characteristic was rated as '2' but 8 were rated as '0'. Compared with the 13 previously assessed countries, Austria ranks 10th of 14 countries and is classified as a 'low primary care' country. This study provides the first evidence concerning primary care in Austria, benchmarking it as weak and in need of development. The practicable application of an existing assessment tool can be encouraging for other countries to generate evidence about their primary care system as well.
    Benchmarking
    Citations (24)
    KEY POINTS Primary care has featured prominently in national debates on what ails the Canadian health care system and what holds the key to its sustainability. Most jurisdictions in Canada have attempted primary care reform in recent years,[1][1] but reference to Northern Canada is conspicuously
    Citations (22)
    Roma populations' low health status and limited access to health services, including primary care, has been documented in many European countries, and warrants specific health policies and practices. A variety of experiences shows how primary care can adjust its practices to reduce the barriers to primary care for Roma populations. At local level, establishing collaboration with Roma organisations helps primary care to improve mutual relations and quality of care. Mediation has proved to be an effective tool. Skills training of primary care practitioners may enhance their individual competences. Research and international sharing of experiences are further tools to improve primary care for the Roma people.Slabo zdravstveno stanje romskega prebivalstva ter omejen dostop do zdravstvenih storitev, kar vključuje tudi osnovno zdravstveno stanje, je zabeleženo v več evropskih državah in potrjuje določena zdravstvena načela in dejavnosti.Različne izkušnje prikazujejo načine, kako se lahko osnovno zdravstveno varstvo prilagodi dejavnostim za zmanjšanje ovir med osnovnim zdravstvenim varstvom in romskim prebiovalstvom. Vzpostavljanje sodelovanja z romskimi organizacijami na lokalni ravni lahko pripromore k skupnim povezavam in kakovostni oskrbi na področju osnovnega zdravstvenega varstva. Posredovanje se je izkazalo za učinkovito orodje.Usposabljanje izvajalcev osnovnega zdravstvenega varstva lahko izboljša zmožnosti posameznika. Orodja za izboljšanje osnovnega zdravstvenega varstva za romsko prebivalstvo so nadaljnje raziskave in primerjanje izkušenj na mednarodni ravni.
    Citations (18)
    Care Plus is a New Zealand chronic care initiative. It provides funding for extra primary care visits for patients with chronic diseases and aims to improve chronic care management, primary health care team work and reduce inequalities in health care. This mixed methodology study aimed to explore characteristics within practices that may contribute to improved clinical outcomes for Care Plus.A focus group interview was conducted with a group of health professionals involved in Care Plus in a North Island Primary Health Organisation (PHO). Participants were selected because of their 'expert status'. Interview analysis used a general inductive approach. A questionnaire was sent to all practice nurses to determine prevalence of characteristics derived from the focus group.Seven primary care workers involved in Care Plus participated in a focus group from which three major themes emerged: nursing factors, practice organisation factors and general practitioner (GP) factors. Sub-themes identified as patient-centredness, assertive follow-up, nursing knowledge, referral to other health professionals, dedicated appointment times, long consultation time, low cost, GP commitment and teamwork were all considered to be characteristics that could lead to improved clinical outcomes. Questionnaire responses from 18 practice nurses suggest that GPs are under-involved with Care Plus.Patients with chronic conditions have complex needs. Care Plus is a nationwide initiative providing funding for chronic care. Some characteristics of nurses, practice organisation and GPs may lead to improved clinical outcomes in Care Plus. A number of these characteristics are supported in the literature.
    Primary (astronomy)
    Citations (12)
    From small beginnings in the 1970s, counselling in primary care has now become an established area of practice. It is well recognised that a significant proportion of patients in primary health care h
    Citations (17)
    Disease prevention is a key goal of primary care. Primary care providers are in an ideal position to undertake this because most people will visit their primary care practitioner in any 2-year period, creating opportunities to identify and manage the risk of serious disease by screening for
    Primary Prevention
    Position (finance)
    Citations (2)
    To the Editor: The comments made by Dr. Downing in his communication regarding a need to evaluate the benefits of primary care are accurate. Studies do need to be conducted in the developing and emerging world to determine whether the principles of primary care and family medicine do improve health