  How
do we enhance our person-centred focus in primary care?
The following approaches are
practical examples of how health professionals in
primary care can make a difference. Many health
professionals are already doing these.
Organise the
delivery of services around patient preferences
A
large Australian survey found that people’s
expectations of general practice included choice of
GP, open discussion with the GP and the opportunity
to get more information about diagnosis, treatment
options, referral options and community-based
support services.11 The core list of attributes of
patient-centred general practice identified in this
survey (Table 1) were similar to those proposed and
promoted in the USA.2
Similar findings have been
reported elsewhere. A UK study found that people
with asthma want access to a clinic near home, a
doctor who listens to them, to be treated as a whole
person, to see the same doctor on each visit, to
receive information about the prescribed treatment,
to be confident in the doctor’s skills and ability,
to be in control of treatment decisions, and for
care to be financially affordable.12
Improved
attendance at consultations might be achieved by
providing services outside normal working hours,
group support and regular follow up.
Table 1.
What patients want
An Australian study found that
consumers’ expectations of general practice include
the following:11
-
Better communication with GPs,
including the opportunity for open discussions
within the consultation about diagnosis,
treatment options and medical terminology, and
to get more information as desired
-
A choice of GPs, catering for a
range of cultural and gender-related preferences
-
A GP who treats them with
respect
-
Clear information about their
disease condition, all relevant treatment and
medication options, in both written and spoken
formats
-
The opportunity for discussion
with the GP about referrals, further medical
tests and related options
-
The opportunity to ask
information of and share information with the GP
about allied health professionals, community
health services and other health professionals
-
Information at the time of
consultation about costs of the visit, treatment
and prescriptions • Access to language
interpreter services for those who need them
-
Access to special care and
communication strategies for those with a
hearing impairment, intellectual disability or
other special needs
-
GP-initiated links with
community-based support services
-
Access to more shared care
between GPs and other disciplines
-
More communication between GPs
and consumer organisations
-
An emphasis on illness
prevention and health promotion, including
access to education sessions
-
After hours services provided by
their own GP practice
-
The opportunity to contact the
GP by telephone as necessary
-
Reasonable waiting times at the
practice Easy physical access to the practice
-
Clear, accurate and easily
understood medical records, written information
and instructions including prescriptions
-
Access to personal health
information
-
Appropriate recall systems
-
Use of information technology to
provide patients and doctors with relevant
information on the most appropriate treatment
-
Bulk-billing options to ensure
equity of access
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