health care that is provided by a health care professional in the first contact of a patient with the health care system
Direct care of an individual with some illness or disability, aimed at curing or alleviating the consequences of that illness or disability.
The Declaration of Alma Ata defines primary health care as being "essential care made universally accessible at a cost a country and community can afford, using methods that are practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable". Primary Health Care is seen as a solution to the inadequate illness management system by providing a balanced system of treatment and disease prevention that is affordable, appropriate and accessible. Principles of advancing health through primary health care include: consumer / community participation and responsiveness self management and reliance intersectoral collaboration and partnerships prevention, health promotion and integrated care social justice and equity These principles require the search for a balance between big picture and local needs and short and longer-term gains in health, recognition of the inequalities in health between groups and greater access to policy development and resource allocation processes.
Primary-level health, disability, social and community services care provided by a range of health workers including physicians, nurses, auxiliaries and community workers.
First contact health care provided by a GP or other health professional. This includes the care given by dentists, opticians, pharmacists and other community health services.
essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound, culturally appropriate and socially acceptable methods. It is universally accessible to people in their communities, involves community participation, is integral to, and a central function of, the countryâ€(tm)s health system, and is the first level of contact with the health system.
Usually the health services of first point of contact based around key health practitioners or providers, such as general practitioners. It is generally community-based, but can include hospitals and other health services. It can also refer to essential health care made available universally to individuals and families in the community, by means acceptable to them.
Health care delivered in the community, usually in Health Centres or at home.
Basic health care that includes teaching people how to live healthily (eg, eating healthily and basic hygiene) to prevent illness and disease.
This term refers to essential health care (prevention and treatment of disease), which is locally accessible, affordable, practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable. Source: WHO
Primary health care, often abbreviated as PHC, was a new approach to health care that came into existence following an international conference in Alma Ata in 1978 organised by the World Health Organisation and the UNICEF.
