title: On the front lines of care: primary care doctors' office systems, experiences, and views in seven countries.
abstract: This 2006 survey of primary care physicians in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States reveals striking differences in elements of practice systems that underpin quality and efficiency. Wide gaps exist between leading and lagging countries in clinical information systems and payment incentives. U.S. physicians are among the least likely to have extensive clinical information systems or incentives targeted on quality and the most likely to report that their patients have difficulty paying for care. Disease management capacity varies widely. Overall, findings highlight the importance of nationwide policies: Policy changes in the United States could lead to improved performance.
authors.affiliation: Commonwealth Fund in New York City, USA.
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schoen
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osborn
authors.forename: Phuong Trang
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doty
authors.forename: Jordon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peugh
authors.forename: Kinga
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zapert
mesh_terms: D000555:Ambulatory Care Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D019049:Developed Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019468:Disease Management; D005858:Germany; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D009520:New Zealand; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D012052:Reimbursement, Incentive / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States