title: Primary care. Associated benefits.
abstract: Results from an associate physician scheme for one region showed improved services for patients, benefits in organisation and management and high retention of doctors in inner cities. The scheme also caused early retirement of two poorly performing principals and uncovered instances of possible fraud. Success depended on the health authorities' commitment and support.
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Health Authority, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Woodward
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dowrick
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D003284:Contract Services; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D005607:Fraud / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008330:Management Audit; D011203:Poverty; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011361:Professional Competence; D013222:State Medicine / Q000592:standards; D006113:United Kingdom; D014505:Urban Population; D000078329:Workforce