Improving Primary Health Care Indicators for Health Equity
Author Information
Author(s): Sabrina T Wong, Annette J Browne, Colleen Varcoe, Josée Lavoie, Victoria Smye, Olive Godwin, Doreen Littlejohn, David Tu
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
Current primary health care indicators may not adequately capture the complexities of care for vulnerable populations.
Conclusion
New and modified indicators are needed to better reflect the complexities of primary health care delivery for marginalized populations.
Supporting Evidence
- Current indicators do not adequately capture the needs of vulnerable populations.
- Participants emphasized the importance of respectful interactions in health care.
- New indicators should reflect the social determinants of health.
Takeaway
This study shows that the way we measure health care for people who need it most isn't good enough, and we need to change it to help them better.
Methodology
A mixed methods ethnographic design was used, including participant observation, staff interviews, and patient interviews.
Limitations
The study was limited to two urban Health Centers in Western Canada serving specific populations affected by systemic inequities.
Participant Demographics
{"providers":{"average_years_experience":4,"gender_distribution":{"female":62,"male":38,"transgender":0}},"patients":{"gender_distribution":{"female":50,"male":47,"transgender":3},"ethnicity":{"aboriginal":75,"caucasian":21,"other":4},"employment_status":{"not_employed":51}}}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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