Primary health care capacity assessment in Qatar: the primary health care progression model as an assessment method

Abstract

Background: The Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI) was developed as a measurement of Primary Health Care (PHC) to evaluate the PHC systems, improve services, and maximize health outcomes. With the limitation of data sources and metrics of PHC capacity, PHCPI designed the PHC Progression Model, as a rubric-based mixed-methods assessment tool for capacity measurement through a participatory process. This paper uses the PHC progression model to assess the system capacity of primary health care in Qatar. Methods: The PHC Progression Model consists of a set of 33 quantitative and qualitative measures, each of which is assessed using a rubric that classifies the level of performance into 4 levels, ranging from Level 1 (low capacity) to Level 4 (high capacity). The assessment measured both quantitative and qualitative information. Results: The assessment showed that PHC in Qatar has a strong capacity with an overall score of the key measures of capacity governance (3.6), inputs (4.0), and population health management (4.0). Conclusion: The main strength of the system was in the key inputs such as facility, workforce, fund, information system, and drugs and supply. Also, the assessment showed strong population health and facility management including standardized team organization, measuring performance, community engagement, and use of the information system data. Keywords: Primary health care, progression model, health system evaluation, health care capacity, Qatar