Abstract
According to the WHO, in a complex system, “there are so many interacting parts that it is difficult (…), to predict the behavior of the system based on knowledge of its component parts. “In countries without general practitioner (GP)-gatekeeping, the number of possible interactions and therefore the complexity increases. Patients may consult any doctor without contacting their GP. Family medicine core values, e.g., comprehensive care, and core tasks, e.g., care coordination, might be harder to implement and maintain. How are GPs perceived and how do they perceive themselves if no GP-gatekeeping exists? Does the absence of any GP-gatekeeping influence family medicine core values? A PubMed and Cochrane search was performed. The results are summarized in form of a narrative review. Four perspectives regarding the GP's role were identified. The GPs' self-perception regarding family medicine core values and tasks is independent of their function as gatekeepers, but they appreciate this role. Patient satisfaction is also independent of the health care system. Depending on the acquisition of income, specialists have different opinions of GP-gatekeeping. Policymakers want GPs to play a central role within the health care system, but do not commit to full gatekeeping. The GPs and policymakers emphasize the importance of family medicine specialty training. Further international studies are needed to determine if family medicine core values and tasks can be better accomplished by GP-gatekeeping. Specialty training should be mandatory in all countries to enable GPs to fulfill these values and tasks and to act as coordinators and/or gatekeepers.
Highlights
A complex system can be defined in various ways [1,2,3,4]
In Israel, patients may consult any general practitioner (GP) or specialist within their health care plan, the country has tried to move toward a gatekeeping system [26, 27]
The traditional role of the GP as the first contact person within the health care system may shift from the individual to the practice, where the GP leads a team that collectively takes responsibility and provides a patient-centered medical home [28]
Summary
A complex system can be defined in various ways [1,2,3,4]. According to the WHO, it is a system in which “there are so many interacting parts that it is difficult, if not impossible, to predict the behavior of the system based on knowledge of its component parts.” Delivering health care in general meets this definition due to, for example, the huge number of relationships between patients, caregivers, health care providers, support staff, family, and community members, the diversity of tasks as well as the diversity of care pathways, and organizations involved [5]. Delivering health care in general meets this definition due to, for example, the huge number of relationships between patients, caregivers, health care providers, support staff, family, and community members, the diversity of tasks as well as the diversity of care pathways, and organizations involved [5]. Patients are not required to have a GP and/or may consult any doctor of any specialty without contacting their GP first. This could be resource-intensive, as it may lead to unnecessary patient-doctor encounters, or potentially be General Practice in Complex Systems harmful if diagnostic tests are doubled, not ordered at all, or drug interactions occur due to a lack of coordination
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