Public Health Systems the Value

Public Health Systems

The value of quality primary care for low-income urban populations is significant as the primary care doctor and her or his staff can serve as an outlet to eliminate or reduce feelings of alienation that this community frequently expresses as a barrier to seeking health care. (Holcomb-Mccoy, 2004, p.188) the office itself can serve as a place where people know the individual patient as more than a set of symptoms, such as would be seen in an emergency room or immediate care center, and can follow the progress of their health and well-being. Additionally, the primary care office can serve as a hub for community information and additional health resources, such as low cost dental and vision clinics, low cost or assistance insurance resources and contact information and even the locations and schedules of low cost or free activities for health, such as open community gyms, cooking classes and even food assistance programs or farmer's markets.

Despite the magnificent march of science, the human being remains a complex animal whose body and mind, self and family, person and community are linked in ways that will resist the effort to compartmentalize every pain or blemish as the domain of an expert but narrow specialist. (Mullan, 2002, p. 5)

Health promotion is clearly a much larger concept than simply making sure than an individual gets a blood pressure check every month. Healthy eating, healthy physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices all play a significant role in holistic health. (Cassell, 2003, p. 8)

Though it is clear that not all primary care offices offer these services or this information the point is that many do and those that do not could if given the opportunity of information to do so. A primary care office serves the purpose of following the care and health of an individual through long periods of time, rather than simply treating them for whatever symptom they have currently and hoping it resolves. (Mullan, 2002, p. 77) the context of this long-term treatment can include variations of health that have little to do with physical symptoms. Some examples include understanding the functioning of the individuals family, knowing to some degree what kinds of activities the patient engages in for recreation and health and even knowing what family member to call if an elderly patient needs assistance understanding and being compliant with a new treatment plan. (Cassell, 2003, p. 8) (Netting & Williams, 2000, p. 233) None of these things can be done by specialized care providers, or emergency/immediate care physicians who have not specifically dealt with this individual over a long period, without extensive patient involvement.