Strengthening the role of primary care for the success of the community care system

Abstract

Background: Globally, population aging is a widespread phenomenon. However, Korea is experiencing this demographic shift at the fastest rate globally. As the number of older adults increases, the local primary healthcare system has become increasingly important in supporting them to maintain their lives within the community.Current Concepts: The integrated medical support project is systematic and comprehensive, focusing on services provided by primary care providers. The project requires a tailored implementation plan specific to the community for long-term operations. Therefore, providers need to explore roles and collaborative measures to establish a sustainable system of primary care-centered supportive care for elderly patients.Discussion and Conclusion: Local governments must identify patients, establish a cooperative system, manage and entrust patient information and communications technology (ICT), educate ICT users, and secure a budget to integrate and provide medical care in the community effectively. The local medical association should establish and operate a medical and healthcare support center, coordinate a consultative body between medical institutions, and implement a 24-hour patient response system. The proposed medical and healthcare support center will facilitate cooperation and comprehensive evaluation during home visits by primary care doctors. This center can also connect patients needing care by collaborating with local care-related organizations. In addition to providing home-visit services, primary care institutions must establish a system for conducting comprehensive patient evaluations with medical care support teams. Additionally, the recommendation is to incorporate elements beyond home-visit treatment fees to facilitate the systematic and intensive management of patients.