Community Health and General Practice: The Impact of Different Cultures on the Integration of Primary Care

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hal Swerissen ◽  
Jenny Macmillan ◽  
Catuscia Biuso ◽  
Linda Tilgner
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Centres ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Centres ◽  
The Relationship

This study examined the existing relationship between community health centres and General Practice Divisions in the State of Victoria, including the nature of joint working arrangements and the identification of barriers to greater collaboration. Improved integration of primary health care services has been advocated to improve consumer and population health outcomes and to reduce inappropriate use of acute and extended care services. General practitioners (GPs) and community health centres are two key providers of primary health care with potential for greater integration. The current study conducted telephone interviews with 20 community health centre CEOs and 18 Executive Officers of divisions, which were matched according to catchment boundaries. Results suggest, while some joint planning is occurring, especially on committees, working parties and projects, there is an overall low level of satisfaction with the relationship between community health centres and GPs and GP divisions. Major barriers to greater integration are the financial or business interests of GPs and misunderstanding and differences in perceived roles and ideology between GPs and community health centres. Improved communication, greater contact and referral and follow-up procedures are identified as a means of improving the relationship between GPs, GP divisions and community health centres. Community health centres and general practitioners (GPs) are key providers of primary care (Australian Community Health Association, 1990).

scholarly journals Development of a hexagonal, mesh-based distribution method for community health centres

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinan Zhou ◽  
Ge Bai ◽  
Li Luo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Distribution Method ◽  
Community Health Centres ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Centres

Community health centres (CHCs) are the health gatekeepers of the local population. Location and numbers of the CHCs affect fairness and effectiveness with regard to access to primary health care. In the past, the distribution of the CHCs was solely empiric-based. The goal of this study was to devise a method for CHC distribution based on the principle of improving equity as well as ensuring efficiency. We tested the effectiveness and operability of the method through a process of revision and simulation using Guangdong Province, China as sample district. A methodology based on literature review and expert consultation was repeatedly applied until an ideal result had been reached. A hexagonal, mesh-based method was developed and used to find a solution where the CHCs could be distributed where their location would be the most needed and total number suitable. Testing the effectiveness of the proposed plan, we found the proportion of area covered to be 52.8% and the proportion of the population covered 80.7%, which is 15.4% and 14.7%, respectively, better than before. It was concluded that the hexagonal mesh-based, distribution method can effectively define the location as well as the number or required CHCs, not only improving the accessibility for residents to primary health care services but also maximizing cost-effectiveness. Management of the city by grid is a new idea in urban management, which improves rationality of planning and also may be applied for many different purposes in addition to CHC localization.

scholarly journals Levels of engagement in primary health care professionals: a comparative study in two Brazilian municipalities

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Garcia Lourenção ◽  
Albertina Gomes da Silva ◽  
Márcio Andrade Borges
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the levels of engagement of Primary Health Care professionals in two municipalities. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out with 238 health professionals who work in the Primary Care services of two municipalities in the state of São Paulo. The engagement dimensions of the professionals were investigated through the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Results: Female predominance (82.8%), age under 40 years (52.9%). Median working time in primary care of three (municipality A), four years (municipality B). Significant difference in levels of engagement in both municipalities. Community health agents presented mean scores in all dimensions. Significant difference in levels of engagement according to professional category in all dimensions. Conclusion and implications for practice: Municipal health professionals with 100.0% coverage by the Family Health Strategy tend to have higher levels of engagement. Nurses presented greater engagement; community health workers reached lower levels than other professionals did. Engagement is an indicator that contributes to the evaluation of the workforce in the Primary Health Care services and can be used to direct strategies that improve the levels of dedication, absorption and vigor of the professionals, benefiting the organization of the primary care services.

What can the Experiences of Primary Care Organisations in England, Scotland and New Zealand Suggest About the Potential Role of Divisions of General Practice and Primary Care Networks/Partnerships in Addressing Australian Challenges?

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie McDonald ◽  
Gawaine Powell Davies ◽  
Jacqueline Cumming ◽  
Mark Fort Harris
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Care Services

This paper focuses on what can be learnt from the experiences of Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) in England, Scotland and New Zealand about the potential role of Divisions of General Practice (DGPs) and Primary Health Care Networks/Partnerships (PCN/Ps) in Australia, in addressing the challenges of ensuring access to a comprehensive range of primary health care services that are well coordinated and address population health needs. Responsibility for contracting and commissioning gives PCOs considerable leverage to influence the availability and range of primary health care services. A capitation-based funding system and associated patient enrolment enables a population focus and care over time, while aligned regional and local planning boundaries between PCOs and other health service planning boundaries also help with more coordinated approaches to planning, service development and service delivery. These elements are largely absent in the Australian health care system and set significant limitations on the role of DGPs and PCN/Ps. While DGPs can contribute to improving general practice quality and access to multidisciplinary care, and PCN/Ps can improve coordination, their scope of responsibilities and authority will need to be significantly strengthened to enable them to take a comprehensive approach to ensuring access to primary health care, service coordination and addressing population health needs.

scholarly journals Cross-cultural adaptation of the primary health care satisfaction questionnaire

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 419-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabete Pimenta Araujo Paz ◽  
Pedro Miguel Santos Dinis Parreira ◽  
Alexandrina de Jesus Serra Lobo ◽  
Rosilene Rocha Palasson ◽  
Sheila Nascimento Pereira de Farias
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Cultural Adaptation ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health

Objective To develop the cross-cultural validation and assessment of the psychometric properties of the Questionnaire about the quality and satisfaction dimensions of patients with primary health care. Methods Methodological cultural adaptation and assessment study of the psychometric properties, involving 398 users from a primary care service. The construct validity was verified through principal components factor analysis and internal consistency assessment as determined by Cronbach’s alpha, using SPSS. Results A factorial structure was identified that is equivalent to the original instrument, showing six factors that explain 70.81% of the total variance. All internal consistency coefficients were higher than 0.84, indicating appropriate psychometric properties. Conclusion The results show that the Brazilian Portuguese version of the instrument is culturally and linguistically appropriate to assess the satisfaction of users attended in primary care services.

Primary Health Care Under Pressure: A Case Study of Amalgamation in Victoria

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigid McCoppin ◽  
Christine Birrell
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Policy ◽  
Care Policy ◽  
Community Health Centres ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Centres ◽  
Common Response ◽  
Future Demands

Amalgamation of community health centres has become a fairly common response to Victorian government changes in primary health care policy (both Labor and Coalition). This is a study of one such amalgamation and of its effects. The amalgamation brought staff and management many difficulties of adjustment, but it has produced a larger organisation which, while it has some residual problems, appears well fitted to withstand the pressure of today's policy directions and to meet future demands.

scholarly journals Experiences of primary health care nurses regarding the provision of free health care services in the Northern region of the Limpopo Province

Curationis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
VO Netshandama ◽  
L Nemathaga ◽  
SN Shai-Mahoko
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Centres ◽  
Free Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care Nurses

The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of primary health care nurses working in the clinics and health centres involved in the provision of free health care services. The research design followed was exploratory, descriptive and qualitative. The population of the study included all primary health care nurses working at the clinics and health centres in the Vhembe (northern) region of the Limpopo Province. The sampling method used was purposive for the samples of both the clinics and the nurses. The inclusion criteria for the nurses included experience of two or more years in providing primary health care. The inclusion criteria for the selection of clinics included being a busy clinic (a minimum of 2000 patients per month) with a staff establishment of four or more primary health care nurses. In conducting this research, ethical principles were taken into account. Data was collected from 23 participants in the Northern Region. The research question read as follows: What are your experiences regarding the provision of free health care services? An open coding method consisting of eight steps provided by Tesch's (1990:140-145) eight-step method of analysing data was used. The research findings revealed that the primary health care nurses working in the clinics experience feelings of failure to provide adequate primary health care services due to the increased workload, misuse of the service, and fear associated with lack of security in the clinics and health centres. The conclusions drawn from this research are that on the one hand a poor mechanism exists for the monitoring of the implementation of free health services, and on another hand, there has been misuse of the facilities by the community. The concept “free health care service” has been misinterpreted.

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