Recorded presentation

Jaime Gofin, MD, MPH, Hadassah- Hebrew University School of Public Health and Community Medicine, POB 12272, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel, 972 2 5861866, jaime@md.huji.ac.il

One of the determinants of health disparities is the fragmentation in health services commonly observed in many countries. To deal with this organizational and functional separation diverse approaches have been suggested for the integration of medicine and public health.

The community-oriented primary care approach (COPC) is based on the integration of clinical and public health functions and skills, and as such is considered as public health at local and regional levels. COPC takes responsibility for a defined population by an assessment of its health needs, setting priorities and planning and implementing programs to address the identified needs. There is evidence that the practice of COPC in different socio-economic environments and health systems has a positive impact on the population's health.

This presentation aims to examine examples and assess opportunities and constraints on the involvement of public health expertise in the development of the population components of COPC. In this regard the role of public health professionals could be related to: 1) formulation of a relevant health policy by assessing the need, efectiveness and feasibility of COPC as an appropriate approach for the integration; 2) participation in the priority setting process and in the leadership of the intersectorial work and partnerships in the re-organization of health services; 3) delivery of health services taking into consideration the socio-economic, environment and behavioral determinants of health of the particular population.

Learning Objectives:

• Define and describe the essential components of COPC
• Articulate how COPC is an appropriate approach for the integration of medicine and public health
• Identify and assess the roles of public health professionals in the integration

Keywords: Community-Oriented Primary Care, Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation