Primary care providers represent the backbone of public health prevention and care in the community. They provide check-ups, immunizations, counseling, referrals, medications, recommendations, and persistent persuading to promote and maintain health in their patients. They provide a "medical home" for all sectors of the community, including cultural and linguistic minorities. However, despite their critical role in ensuring the public's health, states are finding it difficult to maintain a supportive primary care environment in an era of managed care and health care restructuring. The Rhode Island Department of Health is addressing this through the Primary Care Physician Advisory Committee (PCPAC), a public/private relationship with the primary care community. Through regular monthly meetings, primary care physicians directly advise the Director of Health on programming and policy issues that enhance primary care in Rhode Island. In return, physicians hear the Department's positions and actions on issues important to primary care. Issues PCPAC has addressed include, among others, the impact of two major managed care plans' closure in the state, how to improve the relationship between primary care providers and the mental health system, addressing the influenza vaccine shortage, and creating an early warning system for health care problems. In this session, the presenter will describe the creation of PCPAC, its structure and procedures, and an example of how the Committee responded to and worked with the Department on a potential public health threat. The presenter will also discuss lessons learned that other states can use in adapting this model.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1) describe the role and importance of primary care providers to the public's health; 2) identify four major threats to a healthy primary care environment; 3) articulate how to build a relationship between their health department and primary care providers.
Keywords: Primary Care, Health Departments
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Rhode Island Department of Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment