As patients enter the healthcare system, primary care is typically their first stop. Because of this, primary care clinicians have a unique opportunity to develop relationships with patients and communities. This also enables them to get a glimpse of the hardships that a particular patient or group of patients is dealing with and see how that can affect their overall well-being. As the healthcare system, and primary care in particular, shifts away from a transactional system, to one more focused on high quality, comprehensive care, these outside factors that often play a significant role in patients’ lives must be accounted for.
The CDC defines health disparities as preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations. It defines the social determinants of health as conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play. While several of these factors or locations fall out of the traditional sphere of primary care, a well-organized and coordinated primary care team should have the resources to help patients beyond their medical needs.
Title | Source | Date |
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Commentary: Advances in healthcare save lives, but not if no one hears about them | Modern Healthcare | August 2, 2019 |
CMS launches new pay model for opioid-dependent women | Modern Healthcare | October 23, 2018 |
Shutdown stories: Rural hospital feels the pain from loan freeze | Modern Healthcare | January 22, 2019 |
Administration bears down on states to expand Medicaid | Modern Healthcare | April 25, 2015 |
Reform Update: Many dual-eligibles opt out of care coordination | Modern Healthcare | July 22, 2014 |
4,100 more Arkansans lose Medicaid over work requirements | Modern Healthcare | October 15, 2018 |
Ky. initiative looks to curb rise of babies in opioid withdrawal | Modern Healthcare | October 15, 2018 |
Black, older patients less likely to use hospital patient portals | Modern Healthcare | July 17, 2019 |
Hospital execs fail to reduce costs where needed, report says | Modern Healthcare | October 16, 2018 |
Community Collaboration To Improve Care And Reduce Health Disparities | Health Affairs | May 1, 2010 |