Present Status of Papers on the Primary Care Quality Assessment in Korea

Abstract

Background: The analysis of the papers on the primary care quality assessment in Korea was performed to summarize existing papers, estimate the level of primary care quality, and suggest the directions and areas of the future research. Methods: Primary care quality-related papers were selected via internet web search engines which were Korean Journal of Family Medicine homepage, KMbase, and KoreaMed. Further papers were added after consultation to primary care quality assessment specialists in Korea. Results: The number of related papers was 29. Data collection was done mostly via mail or telephone questionnaire to suppliers, primary care physicians. Papers on resource capacity area were 11, on services delivery 4, on outcome by service 2, and on clinical performance 12. The total primary care score was low. The themes of clinical performance studies were common diseases in Korea. Conclusion: Research volume on primary care quality assessment was poor, especially on outcome area. Data collection methods and quality indicators are needed to diverse. Future researches using OECD health care quality indicators are needed to make international comparison possible, which fi nally contributes to primary care quality improvement in Korea.