Primary Health Care (PHC) with primary care as its foundation provides accessible, comprehensive, and cost-effective healthcare services that are essential for promoting health, preventing illness, and achieving better health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. It has a role not only in addressing basic health needs, but also on preventive measures, such as vaccinations, screenings, and health education. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of robust primary health care systems in responding to public health crises. In summary:
• PHC serves as the first point of contact for individuals seeking healthcare services.
• PHC is central to efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).
• PHC is often more cost-effective than specialised care or hospital-based services.
• PHC plays a crucial role in improving population health outcomes.
• PHC has become increasingly important for the management of chronic diseases.
• PHC can encourages active participation of individuals and communities in their own health care.
• PHC serves as a foundation to addressing emerging health challenges and crises.
• PHC is central to efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).
• PHC is often more cost-effective than specialised care or hospital-based services.
• PHC plays a crucial role in improving population health outcomes.
• PHC has become increasingly important for the management of chronic diseases.
• PHC can encourages active participation of individuals and communities in their own health care.
• PHC serves as a foundation to addressing emerging health challenges and crises.
Editorial Team of the Primary Health Care Primer
The Primary Health Care (PHC) primer is a comprehensive book that compiles insights on the implementation of PHC systems from 50 countries across the globe. It was initiated by the World Health Organization and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies with the aim of equipping policymakers with up-to-date evidence to advance PHC initiatives. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource for individuals interested in or working within the field of primary healthcare.
Its aim is to provide evidence to underpin the PHC approach as proposed in the declarations of Alma-Ata and Astana that PHC is an integration of three components: 1) primary care and essential public health functions as the core of integrated health services, 2) empowered people & communities, and 3) multisectoral policy & action.
Co-author of the chapter on Health Finance
The chapter on health finance, which focuses on the management and allocation of financial resources within the healthcare sector to facilitate the delivery of healthcare services, holds significant importance in the book.
It delves into crucial aspects such as revenue collection methods, resource pooling strategies, allocation mechanisms, insurance coverage for specific services and demographics, and procurement and purchasing practices. These factors collectively determine the adequacy of resources available for Primary Health Care (PHC) and their effectiveness in promoting the delivery of efficient and high-quality healthcare services.
The sustainability of financing is essential for the long-term viability of healthcare systems. Different financing mechanisms may influence the quality of care provided. Health financing policies may also have implications for equity and access to healthcare services. Comparative evidence as provided in this chapter, allows countries to learn from each other's experiences and lead to more informed decisions.
Co-author of the chapter on Models of Care
A model of care encompasses a series of strategic decisions within a healthcare system dictating the types, methods, and locations of health service delivery. A model of care serves as the foundational framework guiding the organisations in the healthcare system at micro, meso, and macro levels - with the overarching objective of delivering quality, efficient, and accessible healthcare services to the population.
This chapter highlights the domains and key elements of PHC oriented health systems. Characteristics of such a model of care could for example be the arrangements in place to make primary care the first contact of care, systems for effective referral and counter-referral, optimised patient pathways or the implementation of multidisciplinary teams.
