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 | Date | Source | |
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eHealth Innovation Profile: Union Health Center | May 2013 | PCPCC | |
Helping Consumers Understand and Use Health Insurance in 2014 | May 2013 | Institute of Medicine | |
eHealth Innovation Profile: Bon Secours Virginia Medical Group | June 2013 | PCPCC | |
Talking to Patients in the 21st Century | June 2013 | JAMA | |
Safety Net Medical Home Initiative Resources | July 2013 | Safety Net Medical Home Initiative | |
Let The Patient Revolution Begin | July 2013 | BMJ | |
Coalitions and Community Health: Integration of Behavioral Health and Primary Care | July 2013 | SAMHSA | |
Peer Involvement in Integrated Physical and Behavioral Health Services: Promoting"Wellness" through "Recovery Oriented" Care | July 2013 | ||
Federal and State Policy to Promote the Integration of Primary Care and Community Resources | August 2013 | Access Report | |
Health in All Policies:A Guide for State and Local Governments | October 2013 | Public Health Institute |