ARE ROMANIAN FAMILY DOCTORS READY FOR HEALTH 2020

Abstract

CONTEXT: Primary care has the potential to effectively address the most pressing challenges to the Romanian health system. A series of international health systems surveys have recently been conducted to evaluate primary care in the country. We present selected findings from a recent European Commission-funded study: Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe ( QUALICOPC). METHOD: We have selected findings from this study which we believe are key in addressing Romania’s health system challenges. To do this, we used the priority area recommendations from the World Health Organization European Region’s Health 2020 strategic policy framework as a guide. RESULTS: Study results are presented for primary care provision to the elderly, harmful alcohol use, mental health, service integration and professional relations in primary care. CONCLUSIONS: Using Health 2020 to explore survey results was helpful in framing the QUALICOPC results. Our analysis shows that family doctors in Romania have improved their performance and are better positioned towards strengthening primary health care. Keywords: Health 2020, family doctors, primary health care, management, health policies, health care study, health systems