title: [Comprehensive considerations regarding the objectives and characteristics of primary care].
abstract: The authors define primary care (otherwise known as medical home) and the reasons that make its implementation necessary and then describe a possible organizational model. In particular, they highlight the significant role of professional nurses and discuss the current lack of nursing personnel. The latter represents an obstacle in the implementation of an efficient primary care program and the authors discuss a possible solution. Finally, the implementation of primary care will require changes to be made in the organizational structure of hospitals; these are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Università degli Studi di Pavia, Dipartimento di Medicina Preventiva, Occupazionale e di Comunità - Sezione di Igiene.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meloni
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arrigoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D000078329:Workforce