Definition of Primary Care
(As amended January 2004)
Primary care is the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians and providers of health care services who are accountable for addressing a broad spectrum of an individual’s health care needs (including physical, mental and emotional) through a sustained partnership that is practiced within the context of that individual’s family and community.
There are six essential qualities of primary care.
1. Primary care should be continuing.
Clinicians, providers, and systems of primary care are available to care for patients over a period of time, throughout the continuum of wellness and illness.
2. Primary care should be accessible.
Clinicians, providers, and systems of primary care identify and address barriers that prevent patients from receiving their care. Traditional barriers include but are not limited to: financial, geographic, cultural, and availability.
3. Primary care should be comprehensive.
Clinicians, providers, and systems of primary care maximize the scope of services available in their setting: to address common acute and chronic illnesses, to facilitate coordination with specialty care when needed, and to include health promotion, health maintenance, disease prevention, health counseling and education in a variety of settings.
4. Primary care should be acceptable.
Clinicians, providers, and systems of primary care provide care within the context of patients’ cultural, socio-economic, and spiritual realities.
5. Primary care should be coordinated.
Clinicians, providers, and systems of primary care coordinate and integrate patient care and services that addresses the complex needs of patients within both clinical and community settings.
6. Primary care should be accountable.
Clinicians, providers, and systems of primary care incorporate best practice models that utilize evidence-based models where possible, and that ensure cost-effective, high quality practices.
Principles for Primary Health Care
to Guide the Delivery of
Primary Health Care Services on Martha’s Vineyard
Primary Health Care Will Be:
Effective:
Services will deliver the best possible health outcomes for individuals and their families.
Empowering:
Services will promote informed choice and facilitate individual and family responsibility.
Holistic:
Services will focus on a broad spectrum of wellness and illness within the context of an individual’s or a family’s physical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual beliefs.
Efficient:
Services will have systems in place to ensure that available resources are accessible and utilized to their maximum potential.
Culturally Competent:
Services address the diverse cultural needs of Vineyard residents.
People and Community Centered:
Services will work closely with the community to identify local needs and to ensure strong community participation in the planning and review of services.
Quality Focused:
Services will work on continuous quality improvement and will have systems in place that measure outcomes and quality.
Equitable:
Services will be structured to provide equal access and utilization by Vineyard residents.
Coordinated:
Services will be well coordinated internally and externally, with strong links between primary clinicians, specialists, providers and community based health and human services programs, to promote effective communication, collaboration, and patient care.
| 
