How Primary Care Contributes to Health Systems

Margaret Elizabeth Kruk^*
*Correspondence: Margaret Elizabeth Kruk, Department of Public Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, Email:

Keywords

Primary care • Health systems • Sheltering

Introduction

Human planet's resources and services are essential to our survival, yet we are perilously near to running out of them. Our environment's balance has been upset as a result of excessive production and consumption. The people least able to defend themselves are disproportionately impacted by pollution, biodiversity loss, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and climate change. The incidence of injuries, malnutrition, vector-borne illnesses like dengue fever, and no communicable diseases including asthma, chronic respiratory conditions, stroke, and heart attacks all rise as a result of these events. Since researchers were able to distinguish primary care from other components of the health services delivery system, evidence of the healthpromoting impact of primary care has been mounting. Regardless of whether the care is characterised by a supply of primary care physicians, a relationship with a provider of primary care, or the receipt of crucial aspects of primary care, this research demonstrates that primary care helps avoid disease and death. Primary care, as opposed to specialised care, is associated with a more equitable distribution of health in communities, according to the research, which is supported by both cross-national and intra-national studies. The mechanisms via which primary care enhances health have been identified, offering strategies for enhancing general health and minimising inequalities [1].

Description

By developing people-cantered, resilient and sustainable health systems that defend the human right to health, advance social justice, empower people and communities, and address the determinants of health, nations have committed to achieving universal health coverage. The term "primary health care" refers to this strategy. The most inclusive, fair, and economical means of achieving universal health coverage is commonly recognised as this one. Primary health care not only provides important medical services closer to where people live and work, but it also raises health literacy levels in families and communities, empowering individuals with the information and resources they need to take control of their own health. The method addresses the issues affecting communities' health and well-being, such as connecting them with systems that are focused on their needs and preferences. The Dawson Report was published in the UK about 1920, which is when the term "primary care" is said to have first appeared. "Primary health care centres" were referenced in that study, an official "white paper," which were meant to serve as the focal point of regionalized services in that nation. Although primary care became the cornerstone of the health services system in the UK and many other nations, the United States did not see a similar concentration emerge. Indeed, the emergence of one specialty board after another in the early 20th century indicated the growing specialisation of the American medical workforce (Stevens 1971). The GI Bill of Rights, which promoted the continued education of doctors who served in World War II, assisted in boosting [2].

These studies collectively addressed a range of health outcomes, including overall and cause-specific mortality, low birth weight, and self-reported health. They used several different analytical techniques (standard regressions, path analyses) in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to investigate the relationship between the availability of primary care physicians and health at different geographic scales (state, county, metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan regions). They also controlled for various population characteristics (such as income, education, and racial distribution) (longitudinal).The indicator of "supply" is the number of primary care doctors per 10,000 people. General internists, family practitioners, and general paediatricians are examples of primary care physicians. These three medical specialties make up the primary care physician workforce, and research has shown that they deliver the greatest levels of care.

Human planet's resources and services are essential to our survival, yet we are perilously near to running out of them. Our environment's balance has been upset as a result of excessive production and consumption. The people least able to defend themselves are disproportionately impacted by pollution, biodiversity loss, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and climate change. The incidence of injuries, malnutrition, vector-borne illnesses like dengue fever and no communicable diseases like asthma, chronic respiratory conditions, stroke, heart attack, and many other conditions rise as a result of these occurrences. Only a healthy planet that treats everyone equally, regardless of colour, gender, age, religion, or wealth, can lead to universal health. Societies that equip people and communities are necessary [3].

Higher level of care

Significant study has compared the effectiveness of speciality versus general practises. Specialists tend to follow disease-specific guidelines for health issues more carefully, according to studies they conducted, which correlates to better preventative measures and prescription choices. In some practise areas, such as the treatment of diabetes, general practitioners have been found to provide care that is comparable to or superior to that provided by hospital-based specialists, despite other studies failing to support this data. Due to the comprehensive approach to health, this research has led to the idea that primary care may frequently be of a higher overall quality [4,5].

Conclusion

The use of specialist care, which may be unneeded and have the potential to damage patients, can be decreased by the implementation of primary health care in a timely and beneficial manner. Referral to a specialist for diseasespecific care can frequently be avoided when primary health practitioners are able to promote preventative measures or make early interventions, which lowers the risks associated with treatment. Improvements in information technology and video communication for specialist consulting while in the primary care environment have been pioneered in some nations, notably the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

References

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