Public health, primary care and the 'cluster' model

Abstract

This issue of the European Journal of Public Health contains a series of Viewpoint contributions from Professor Adany and colleagues concerning a Hungarian programme for the improvement of primary health care in that country. The programme is supported by the Government of Switzerland. The aim is to encourage general practitioners to participate in services with a public health and population focus. The aim is thus to create a primary health care system that, in addition to traditional patient care services, focuses on health promotion, disease prevention and restoration of health within communities, as well as the effective rehabilitation of chronically ill people. A so-called ‘GP cluster model’1 will be created, each cluster consisting of a network of collaborative primary care practices (each will comprise six practices). In addition to the traditional curative services, these clusters can provide health-promotive and disease-preventive services by sharing the time and cost of employing staff working in these areas, such as public health professionals, health psychologists, physiotherapists and dieticians. This is an important initiative, worthy of attention and careful evaluation. It adds to present efforts across the WHO …