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Celino SDDM, de Albuquerque Filho NJB, Gomes MDNC, Costa GMC, de Mendonça AEO. Evaluation of primary health care by users during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292039. [PMID: 37738255 PMCID: PMC10516436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the primary health care (PHC) attributes and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic using the perspective of users. METHODS This cross-sectional, quantitative study included 422 PHC users from 96 Family Health Teams in a city in Brazil. The assessment used the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) and a structured questionnaire on the sociodemographic and epidemiological characteristics of users and basic health units (BHU). The Person's chi-square test was used to analyze the association between high overall scores in PCATool and characteristics of users and BHU. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with a 95% confidence interval were also calculated. Poisson regression and Rao Scott's Chi-square test were used to estimate crude PR. RESULTS Most users were aged 30 to 39 years (26.3%), women (75.4%), registered at the BHU for over ten years (59.5%), and had incomplete secondary education (30.6%). The mean of PHC essential attributes and overall scores were low (6.10 ± 0.81 and 5.78 ± 0.77, respectively). "First-contact care-use" received the highest score (9.22 ± 1.62), while "first-contact care-accessibility" received the lowest (2.82 ± 0.90). High overall scores were associated with an average employment time of professionals (doctors and nurses) at the BHU (PR = 1.31; 95% CI 1.17-1.48; p < 0.001) and lower educational level of users (PR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.54-1.90; p < 0.001. CONCLUSION "First-contact care-use" was the best evaluated, while "first-contact care-accessibility" was the worst. High scores were associated with a lower educational level of users and BHU with more experienced professionals.
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Van Poel E, Collins C, Groenewegen P, Spreeuwenberg P, Bojaj G, Gabrani J, Mallen C, Murauskiene L, Šantrić Milićević M, Schaubroeck E, Stark S, Willems S. The Organization of Outreach Work for Vulnerable Patients in General Practice during COVID-19: Results from the Cross-Sectional PRICOV-19 Study in 38 Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3165. [PMID: 36833862 PMCID: PMC9960761 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected vulnerable populations' access to health care. By proactively reaching out to them, general practices attempted to prevent the underutilization of their services. This paper examined the association between practice and country characteristics and the organization of outreach work in general practices during COVID-19. Linear mixed model analyses with practices nested in countries were performed on the data of 4982 practices from 38 countries. A 4-item scale on outreach work was constructed as the outcome variable with a reliability of 0.77 and 0.97 at the practice and country level. The results showed that many practices set up outreach work, including extracting at least one list of patients with chronic conditions from their electronic medical record (30.1%); and performing telephone outreach to patients with chronic conditions (62.8%), a psychological vulnerability (35.6%), or possible situation of domestic violence or a child-rearing situation (17.2%). Outreach work was positively related to the availability of an administrative assistant or practice manager (p < 0.05) or paramedical support staff (p < 0.01). Other practice and country characteristics were not significantly associated with undertaking outreach work. Policy and financial interventions supporting general practices to organize outreach work should focus on the range of personnel available to support such practice activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Van Poel
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Claire Collins
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Research Centre, Irish College of General Practitioners, D02 XR68 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Groenewegen
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, 3500 BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Sociology, Department of Human Geography, Utrecht University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Spreeuwenberg
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, 3500 BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gazmend Bojaj
- Management of Health Institutions and Services, Heimerer College, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - Jonila Gabrani
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Liubove Murauskiene
- Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Emmily Schaubroeck
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Stark
- Institute of General Practice, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Sara Willems
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Zhang K, Ran B. Active Health Governance—A Conceptual Framework Based on a Narrative Literature Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042289. [PMID: 35206476 PMCID: PMC8872243 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Health policies are regarded as a governance mechanism crucial for reducing health inequity and improving overall health outcomes. Policies that address chronic conditions or health inequity suggest a governance shift toward active health over past decades. However, the current literature in health policy largely focused on some specific health policy changes and their tangible outcomes, or on specific inequality of health policies in gender, age, racial, or economic status, short of comprehensively responding to and addressing the shift. This is exacerbated further by a common confusion that equates health policy with health care policy, which has been burdened by increased population ageing, growing inequalities, rising expenditures, and growing social expectations. This study conducted a narrative literature review to comprehensively and critically analyze the most current knowledge on health policy in order to help us establish a theoretical framework on active health governance. The comprehensive framework proposed in this paper identifies the main elements of a well-defined active health governance and the interactions between these elements. The proposed framework is composed of four elements (governance for health, social determinants of health, lifestyle determinants of health, and health system) and three approaches (whole-of-government approach, whole-of-society approach, and lifespan/life-course approach) that are dynamically interacted to achieve two active health outcomes (health equity and health improvement). The framework provides a conceptual solution to the issues of current literature on health policy and practically serves as a new guide for health policymaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuili Zhang
- School of Public Administration, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China;
| | - Bing Ran
- School of Public Affairs, Pennsylvania State University, Middletown, PA 17057, USA
- Correspondence:
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Yang F, Lin W, Frost E, Min Y, Xu X, Wang X, Li W, Leng Y, Zhao X, He W, Hsing AW, Zhu S. Association between contact with a general practitioner and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown: a large community-based study in Hangzhou, China. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e052383. [PMID: 34389582 PMCID: PMC8366284 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the association of general practitioner (GP) contact with depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in China. DESIGN In April 2020, a follow-up survey was conducted on the basis of a baseline survey conducted between October 2018 and May 2019. SETTING The survey was embedded in the Stanford Wellness Living Laboratory-China (WELL China) study, an ongoing prospective community-based cohort study during 2018-2019. PARTICIPANTS The survey was conducted by telephone interview among 4144 adult urban residents participating in the WELL China study at baseline. We collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms and GP contact during the lockdown period (February to March 2020). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Depressive symptoms were measured using the WHO-Five Well-being Index, comprising five questionnaire items that briefly indicate psychological well-being. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between GP contact and depressive symptoms. RESULTS In total, 3356 participants responded to the survey; 203 were excluded owing to missing data on depressive symptoms, leaving 3153 participants in the present study. During lockdown, 449 participants had GP contact. GP contact was significantly negatively associated with prevalent depressive symptoms (OR, 0.67; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.89; p<0.01) and incident depressive symptoms (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.93; p<0.05). Stratified analysis showed a significant negative association between depressive symptoms and GP contact in individuals who were 45-64 years old (p<0.01), had a middle or high education (p<0.01) and had self-reported non-communicable diseases (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Contact with GPs during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns may have a negative association with depressive symptoms in community-dwelling populations. Given the possibility of further surges in COVID-19 infections, GPs' contact in the community should be enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yang
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenhui Lin
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Administration,School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Eleanor Frost
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yan Min
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Xiaochen Xu
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Li
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hospital Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue Leng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Xueyin Zhao
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei He
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ann W Hsing
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Shankuan Zhu
- Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Rurik I, Nánási A, Jancsó Z, Kalabay L, Lánczi LI, Móczár C, Semanova C, Schmidt P, Torzsa P, Ungvári T, Kolozsvári LR. Evaluation of primary care services in Hungary: a comprehensive description of provision, professional competences, cooperation, financing, and infrastructure, based on the findings of the Hungarian-arm of the QUALICOPC study. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2021; 22:e36. [PMID: 34193332 PMCID: PMC8278788 DOI: 10.1017/s1463423621000438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary health care provision in terms of quality, equity, and costs are different by countries. The Quality and Costs of Primary Care (QUALICOPC) study evaluated these domains and parameters in 35 countries, using uniformized method with validated questionnaires filled out by family physicians/general practitioners (GPs).This paper aims to provide data of the Hungarian-arm of the QUALICOPC study and to give an overview about the recent Hungarian primary care (PC) system. METHODS The questionnaires were completed in 222 Hungarian GP practices, delivered by fieldworkers, in a geographically representative distribution. Descriptive analysis was performed on the data. FINDINGS Financing is based mostly on capitation, with additional compensatory elements and minor financial incentives. The gate-keeping function is weak. The communication between GPs and specialists is often insufficient. The number of available devices and equipment are appropriate. Single-handed practices are predominant. Appointment instead of queuing is a new option and is becoming more popular, mainly among better-educated and urban patients. GPs are involved in the management of almost all chronic condition of all generations. Despite the burden of administrative tasks, half of the GPs estimate their job as still interesting, burn-out symptoms were rarely found. Among the evaluated process indicators, access, continuity, comprehensiveness, and coordination were rated as satisfactory, together with equity among health outcome indicators. Financing is insufficient; therefore, many GPs are involved in additional income-generating activities. The old age of the GPs and the lack of the younger GPs generation contributes to a shortage in manpower. Cooperation and communication between different levels of health care provision should be improved, focusing better on community orientation and on preventive services. Financing needs continuous improvement and appropriate incentives should be implemented. There is a need for specific PC-oriented guidelines to define properly the tasks and competences of GPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imre Rurik
- Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anna Nánási
- Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Jancsó
- Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - László Kalabay
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Csaba Móczár
- Irinyi Primary Care Health Center, Kecskemét, Hungary
| | - Csilla Semanova
- Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Péter Schmidt
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Torzsa
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tímea Ungvári
- Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - László Róbert Kolozsvári
- Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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"Top-Three" health reforms in 31 high-income countries in 2018 and 2019: an expert informed overview. Health Policy 2021; 125:815-832. [PMID: 34053787 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-income countries continuously reform their healthcare systems. Often, similar reforms are introduced concomitantly across countries. Although national policymakers would benefit from considering reform experiences abroad, exchange is limited. This paper provides an overview of health reform trends in 31 high-income countries in 2018 and 2019, i.e., before Covid-19. METHODS Information was collected from national experts from the Health Systems and Policy Monitor network. Experts were asked to report on the three "top" national health reforms 2018 and 2019. In 2019, they provided an update of 2018 reforms. Reforms were assigned to one of 11 clusters and identified as one of seven different reform types. RESULTS 81 reforms were reported in 28 countries in 2018. 44/81 went to four clusters: 'insurance coverage & resource generation', 'governance', 'healthcare purchasing & payment', and 'organisation of hospital care'. In 2019, 86 reforms in 30 countries were reported. 48/86 fell under 'organisation of primary & ambulatory care', 'governance', 'care coordination & specialised care', and 'organisation of hospital care'. Most 2018 reforms were reported ongoing in 2019; 27 implemented; seven abandoned. Health agency-led reforms were implemented most frequently, followed by central government-legislated reforms. CONCLUSIONS Policymakers can leverage international experience of distinct reform approaches addressing similar challenges and similar approaches to address distinct problems. Such knowledge may help inspire or support future successful health reform processes.
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Schäfer WL, Boerma WG, van den Berg MJ, De Maeseneer J, De Rosis S, Detollenaere J, Greß S, Heinemann S, van Loenen T, Murante AM, Pavlič DR, Seghieri C, Vainieri M, Willems S, Groenewegen PP. Are people's health care needs better met when primary care is strong? A synthesis of the results of the QUALICOPC study in 34 countries. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2019; 20:e104. [PMID: 32800009 PMCID: PMC6609545 DOI: 10.1017/s1463423619000434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM This article synthesises the results of a large international study on primary care (PC), the QUALICOPC study. BACKGROUND Since the Alma Ata Declaration, strengthening PC has been high on the policy agenda. PC is associated with positive health outcomes, but it is unclear how care processes and structures relate to patient experiences. METHODS Survey data were collected during 2011-2013 from approximately 7000 PC physicians and 70 000 patients in 34, mainly European, countries. The data on the patients are linked to data on the PC physicians within each country and analysed using multilevel modelling. FINDINGS Patients had more positive experiences when their PC physician provided a broader range of services. However, a broader range of services is also associated with higher rates of hospitalisations for uncontrolled diabetes, but rates of avoidable diabetes-related hospitalisations were lower in countries where patients had a continuous relationship with PC physicians. Additionally, patients with a long-term relationship with their PC physician were less likely to attend the emergency department. Capitation payment was associated with more positive patient experiences. Mono- and multidisciplinary co-location was related to improved processes in PC, but the experiences of patients visiting multidisciplinary practices were less positive. A stronger national PC structure and higher overall health care expenditures are related to more favourable patient experiences for continuity and comprehensiveness. The study also revealed inequities: patients with a migration background reported less positive experiences. People with lower incomes more often postponed PC visits for financial reasons. Comprehensive and accessible care processes are related to less postponement of care. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed room for improvement related to patient-reported experiences and highlighted the importance of core PC characteristics including a continuous doctor-patient relationship as well as a broad range of services offered by PC physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willemijn L.A. Schäfer
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 633 N. St Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- NIVEL – Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, PO box 1568, 3500BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wienke G.W. Boerma
- NIVEL – Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, PO box 1568, 3500BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michael J. van den Berg
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam
| | - Jan De Maeseneer
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sabina De Rosis
- Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Institute of Management, Laboratorio Management e Sanità, piazza Martiti della Libertà 33, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Jens Detollenaere
- KCE – Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre, Kruidtuinlaan 55, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stefan Greß
- Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Fulda, Leipziger Str. 123, 36037 Fulda, Germany
| | - Stephanie Heinemann
- Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Fulda, Leipziger Str. 123, 36037 Fulda, Germany
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tessa van Loenen
- Pharos – Centre of Expertise on Health Disparities, PO box 13318, 3507 LH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Maria Murante
- Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Institute of Management, Laboratorio Management e Sanità, piazza Martiti della Libertà 33, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Danica R. Pavlič
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Poljanski nasip 58, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Chiara Seghieri
- Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Institute of Management, Laboratorio Management e Sanità, piazza Martiti della Libertà 33, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Milena Vainieri
- Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Institute of Management, Laboratorio Management e Sanità, piazza Martiti della Libertà 33, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Sara Willems
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter P. Groenewegen
- NIVEL – Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, PO box 1568, 3500BN Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Sociology and Department of Human Geography, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.115, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Primary care workforce development in Europe: An overview of health system responses and stakeholder views. Health Policy 2018; 122:1055-1062. [PMID: 30100528 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2018.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Better primary care has become a key strategy for reforming health systems to respond effectively to increases in non-communicable diseases and changing population needs, yet the primary care workforce has received very little attention. This article aligns primary care policy and workforce development in European countries. The aim is to provide a comparative overview of the governance of workforce innovation and the views of the main stakeholders. Cross-country comparisons and an explorative case study design are applied. We combine material from different European projects to analyse health system responses to changing primary care workforce needs, transformations in the general practitioner workforce and patient views on workforce changes. The results reveal a lack of alignment between primary care reform policies and workforce policies and high variation in the governance of primary care workforce innovation. Transformations in the general practitioner workforce only partly follow changing population needs; countries vary considerably in supporting and achieving the goals of integration and community orientation. Yet patients who have experienced task shifting in their care express overall positive views on new models. In conclusion, synthesising available evidence from different projects contributes new knowledge on policy levers and reveals an urgent need for health system leadership in developing an integrated people-centred primary care workforce.
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