Introduction into Primary Care

Introduction into Primary Care

by Mameh Bockarie

​What I'll Cover:

​What is Primary Care?

​Who is involved in Primary Care?

​What is involved in Primary Care?

​*How does it link to Secondary Care?

​What are the Advantages of Primary Care?

​What are the Disadvantages of Primary Care?

Open Ended

What comes to mind when you think of primary care?

​What is Primary Care?

​The 'Front door' to the NHS

​Primary Care is the first point of contact that most people have to our healthcare system.

​The aim is to provide care that is easily assessable to all individuals.

​Generalists

​In primary care, the care of the individual overall is focused on more than attending to specialised issues and diseases.

​Professionals working in primary care are generalists, they deal with a wide range of biopsychosocial problems with patients and play an important role in advocating for patients with co-morbidities; providing more holistic and compromising approaches to health.

​Continuity of Care

​Care is very much on a 'cradle to grave' basis. Professionals have the responsibility to aid to a specific patient over an extended period of time; which means that relationships between professionals and patients are essential. Treating common illnesses, managing long-term and chronic illnesses and promoting the prevention of ill-health are key duties in primary care.

​

Multiple Choice

Who are NOT a part of the Primary care MDT?

• Pharmacists

• Psychologists

• Dentists

• District Nurses

• Optometrists

​Who is a part of Primary care?

​Doctors

​General Practitioners

​Dentists

​Pharmacists

​Clinical Pharmacists

​Nurses

General Practice Nursing

​District Nursing

​Allied Health Professionals

​Community Midwives

​Optometrists

​Health Visitors

Physician Associates

​Primary Care Networks

​

Open Ended

What is an Example of a Primary Care service?

​What is a part of primary care?

​General Practice

​Includes: General Practitioners, General Practice Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Physiotherapists, Physician Associates, Podiatrists etc.

​

​First Point of contact for physical and mental health needs.

​Pharmacy

​Includes: Clinical pharmacists, Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy technician.

​

​First point of contact for medications, therapies and general health advice.

​Opticians

​Includes: Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians, Optical Assistants etc.

​

​First point of contact for issues around eye health and eye care.

​Dental Practice

​Includes: Dentists, Dental Nurses, Dental Hygienist, Dental Technician etc.

​

​First point of contact for oral health issues and oral care.

​Primary to Secondary Care

​Primary Care is the first point of contact into the healthcare system for many individuals, focusing on more generalised approaches to care.

​

​Secondary Care involves more specialised care services that set to deal with much more specific issues; primary care services play a huge role in referring patients with specific health problems to secondary care specialists that focus on these problems. This creates a huge interface between primary and secondary care.

​

​Effective communication and cooperation between Primary and secondary care professionals is key to providing a good quality of care to individuals.

​

Multiple Choice

What percentage of patient interactions occur in primary care?

• 65%

• 70%

• 90%

• 85%

​Key Advantages of Primary Care

​Overall, the UK population is ageing. While average life expectancy increases, average healthy life expectancy is not keeping pace; and practitioners, increasingly, have to manage the care of individuals who present with co-morbid illnesses and chronic diseases. Not to mention, the trend in burden of disease in the UK has become more related to lifestyle/environmental diseases; as Ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, stoke and COPD remain the leading common causes of death in the UK. The role of primary care is essential now more than ever.

​

​Key Advantages of Primary Care:

​- Continuity of Care

​- Holistic Care w/ good communication

​- Community Care + ease of access

- Early access, interaction and detection​

​- Health Promotion and Intervention

Multiple Choice

What % of the NHS Budget is Spent on Primary Care?

• Approximately 25%

• Approximately 7%

• Approximately 30%

• Approximately 10%

Multiple Choice

What is the cost of an average 9-minute GP consultation ?

• £37.50

• £38.50

• £38.90

• £37.40

Multiple Choice

Since 2015, the number of fully qualified (FTE) GPs have fallen by:

• 2500

• 616

• 1,803

Multiple Choice

What is the ratio of fully qualified GPs per 1000 patients?

• 0.45

• 0.25

• 0.35

• 0.54

Multiple Choice

Compared to August 2019, the overall appointment count for August 2021 was:

• Two Million Higher

• Two Million Lower

• Three Million

  Higher

• Three Million Lower

​Key Disadvantages of Primary Care

​*Challenges to Primary Care:

​-Staff Shortages

​-Less early detection, diagnosis and treatment of long term conditions due to the pandemic

​-Historically low funding

​- Increasing bureaucracy, workload and long hours: leading to burnout