Primary care. Cracks in the edifice.
The cost-effectiveness of the shift towards primary care is unproven, despite studies claiming otherwise. Existing studies show serious methodological shortcomings. One fifth of studies failed to control for differences in case-mix and demographic make-up. Nearly half of studies made no attempt to measure outcomes. There is an urgent need for an improved evaluation agenda to cover both long- and short-term needs.
Robinson
R
R
Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of Southampton, UK.
Steiner
A
A
Godber
E
E
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000191:economics; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics; D006302:Health Services Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D006113:United Kingdom