Disease control in primary health care: a historical perspective.
The effectiveness of disease control by mobile teams decreased when countries became independent. Early case-finding and continuity of care require permanently accessible health care facilities where rationalization by professionals and participation of the users are well balanced. The Primary Health Care concept, a plea for this equilibrium, has been discredited by different types of misapplication. Correctly functioning and accessible first line health services, completed by a referral level, are a precondition for effective participation of the users. Where 'ideal health districts' cannot be realized, a form of steady exchanges between generalists and the specialists of the referral level has lead to diverse 'functional districts'.
Van Balen
Harrie
H
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium. harrie.vanbalen@belgacom.net
D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003906:Developing Countries; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D005381:Financing, Organized / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration; D006291:Health Policy / Q000266:history*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000266:history; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration