How to Define Primary Health Care

The concept of primary health care was first developed by the World Health Organization, or WHO in 1978. As an alternative approach to global health care, primary health care acts as a preventative system of care that's rooted within communities, governments and health care systems. Primary health care uses a self-empowering approach that places much of the responsibility for health back into the individual's hands.

Primary Health Care

• Traditional primary care systems focus on treating the "sick" patient, or treating the patient after the illness or disease develops. According to the University of Saskatchewan, primary health care's approach uses education and awareness to promote health and well-being within the fabric of a society's everyday life. In effect, primary health care operates as a collaborative effort that requires support from government policy makers, health care systems and community organizations. In doing so, people become less dependent on health care services to maintain good health and more involved in the habits that promote healthy living.

Preventive Approach

• Primary health cares uses a preventative approach that affects people in the places where they spend most of their time, such as school, home and work environments. Through education and awareness initiatives put in place by health care systems, government agencies and community efforts, people are provided the tools needed to maintain their primary health needs in terms of nutrition, exercise and stress management. In effect, hospitals and doctors become an aspect of health care rather than its primary means and focus. The end result works to empower individuals to take an active role in their health status by implementing healthy habits within their everyday lives.

Collaborative System

• As a collaborative system, primary health care plays an integral role within government, education systems as well as within the processes that make up existing health care systems. As a collaborative system, primary health care can target a community's or society's existing health needs from a preventative standpoint. According to the University of Saskatchewan, this approach enables health care practitioners to operate as support networks instead of as the ones who provide for, or make health care possible. Government participation in primary health care makes it possible to allocate needed monies and financial incentives to community organizations and health care providers.

Accessibility

• The primary health care approach emphasizes the importance of people being able to access the tools and services needed to maintain a healthy living standard. Education programs that explain nutrition requirements and promote mental and spiritual health provide the preventative framework needed to support basic health needs. Accessibility also means making health care affordable so all segments within a population have access to needed health care services, such as maternity care, immunizations and necessary medications. In effect, health care delivery systems and services are situated in areas where people are able to access and use them.