Small Solutions for Primary Care Are Part of a Larger Problem

• Published in: Annals of internal medicine Vol. 175; no. 8; pp. 1179 - 1180
• Main Authors: Tarn, Derjung Mimi, Wenger, Neil S, Stange, Kurt C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American College of Physicians 01-08-2022
• Subjects: Health care; Health care delivery; Health care management; Humans; Patient safety; Patient-centered care; Primary care; Primary Health Care; Quality of care
• ISSN: 0003-4819; 1539-3704
• DOI: 10.7326/M21-4509

Tarn et al argue that small solutions for primary care are part of a larger problem as of 2022. Over the past 4 decades, many efforts have sought to improve the delivery of primary care. Each practice improvement initiative has promise, and sometimes scientific evidence of efficacy, to improve care for the single disease or process targeted. Yet, implementation of initiatives requires time, training, possible practice redesign, and growing administrative burden. Initiatives also may require extensive patient education to manage or reframe expectations. These efforts may yield additional payment, but often the remuneration is not commensurate with the administrative burden required to claim it. They believe that truly patient-centered, integrated, whole-person care in the primary care setting would comprehensively address patient concerns during any given office visit, whether those concerns include chronic disease management, acute issues, or preventive health care.