Primary healthcare
Primary Healthcare
Primary healthcare (pronunciation: /ˈpraɪməri ˈhelθkeər/), also known as primary care, is a term used to describe the first point of contact a person has with the health system. The concept of primary healthcare was first introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1978 at the International Conference on Primary Health Care in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan.
Etymology
The term "primary" in primary healthcare denotes the first level or initial point of contact in the healthcare system. The word "primary" comes from the Latin word "primarius" meaning "first in order, first in importance". The term "healthcare" is a compound word combining "health" and "care", indicating the provision of services to maintain or improve health.
Definition
Primary healthcare is defined as the first level of contact that individuals, families, and communities have with the healthcare system. It includes health promotion, disease prevention, curative care, rehabilitative services, and palliative care. Primary healthcare is provided by a range of health professionals, including general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals.
Principles
The principles of primary healthcare as outlined by the WHO include:
- Universal access and coverage
- Community participation
- Health promotion and disease prevention
- Inter-sectoral coordination
- Appropriate technology and resources
Related Terms
- Secondary healthcare: The second level of healthcare, which includes specialist services that are usually provided in hospitals or clinics.
- Tertiary healthcare: The third level of healthcare, which includes specialized consultative services provided by specialists in a hospital or clinic.
- Quaternary healthcare: The fourth level of healthcare, which includes highly specialized services such as advanced surgical procedures and experimental treatments.
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