Primary care
[6] Common chronic illnesses usually treated in primary care may include, for example: hypertension, angina, diabetes, asthma, COPD, depression and anxiety, back pain, arthritis or thyroid dysfunction.
[citation needed] In 2017, the policy address recommended the establishment of a primary health care development steering committee to comprehensively review the planning of primary health care services and provide community medical services through regional medical and social cooperation.
The currently pending proposals of the Ministry of Health, granting the right to create an active list to internists and pediatricians without experience of working in primary care, met with severe criticism of all family medicine organizations.
Primary health care is provided to citizens on an outpatient basis and in an inpatient setting, in planned and emergency forms.
At the same time, any relaxation of gatekeeping should be carefully evaluated to ensure the clinical and non-clinical benefits outweigh the costs".
The research identified a set of innovations that could enhance the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of primary care in the United States.
[8] On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law.
[17] The success of the expansion of health insurance under the ACA in large measure depends on the availability of primary care physicians.
However, despite their importance to the healthcare system, the primary care position has suffered in terms of its prestige in part due to the differences in salary compared to doctors that decide to specialize.
[21] Fifty years ago, roughly half of the physicians in America practiced primary care; today, fewer than one-third of them do.
[22] Projections show that by the year 2033, the population of individuals 65 and older will increase by 45.1%,[23] creating a demand for primary care physicians that is greater than the supply.
These provisions are directed towards medical school graduates and include payment reform, student loan forgiveness programs, and increased primary care residency positions [26] The PPACA also provides funding and mandates to increase the role of mid-level practitioners like physician assistants and nurse practitioners to enhance the primary care workforce.
[28] Consumer surveys have found the American public to be open to a greater role for physician extenders in the primary care setting.
[29] Policies and laws, primarily at the state level, would need to redefine and reallocate the roles and responsibilities for non-physician licensed providers to optimize these new models of care.
[30] There is currently limited evidence to form a robust conclusion that involving older patients with multiple long-term conditions in decision-making during primary care consultations has benefits.
