Canadian Experts' Views on the Importance of Attributes within Professional and Community-Oriented Primary Healthcare Models.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to rate the importance of primary healthcare (PHC) attributes in evaluations of PHC organizational models in Canada.

METHODS: Using the Delphi process, we conducted a consensus consultation with 20 persons recognized by peers as Canadian PHC experts, who rated the importance of PHC attributes within professional and community-oriented models of PHC.

RESULTS: ATTRIBUTES RATED AS ESSENTIAL TO ALL MODELS WERE DESIGNATED CORE ATTRIBUTES: first-contact accessibility, comprehensiveness of services, relational continuity, coordination (management) continuity, interpersonal communication, technical quality of clinical care and clinical information management. Overall, while all were important, non-core attributes - except efficiency/productivity - were rated as more important in community-oriented than in professional models. Attributes rated as essential for community-oriented models were equity, client/community participation, population orientation, cultural sensitivity and multidisciplinary teams.

CONCLUSION: Evaluation tools should address core attributes and be customized in accordance with the specific organizational models being evaluated to guide health reforms.