What are the pros and cons of restructuring health care systems to focus more on primary care services?

This is a Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report on the advantages and disadvantages of restructuring a health care system to be more focused on primary care services. The available evidence demonstrates some advantages for health systems that rely relatively more on primary health care and general practice in comparison with systems more based on specialist care in terms of better population health outcomes, improved equity, access and continuity and lower cost.
This report is HEN's response to a question from a decision-maker. It provides a synthesis of the best available evidence, including a summary of the main findings and policy options related to the issue. HEN, initiated and coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, is an information service for public health and health care decision-makers in the WHO European Region. Other interested parties might also benefit from HEN.

http://www.euro.who.int/en/data-and-evidence/evidence-informed-policy-making/health-evidence-network-hen http://www.euro.who.int/en/data-and-evidence/evidence-informed-policy-making/health-evidence-network-hen

http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/Health-systems/health-service-delivery/news/news/2013/05/conference-on-primary-care-and-secondary-care-provision http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/Health-systems/health-service-delivery/news/news/2013/05/conference-on-primary-care-and-secondary-care-provision

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