Results for: Primary Care

India’s healthcare landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation over the decades, with the advent of modern corporate hospitals leading to a surge in quality patient care. However, this standard of care is largely confined to tertiary care, leaving room for improvement in primary and secondary care. The convergence of healthcare and digital technology, such as telemedicine, wearable devices, and remote monitoring, presents an opportunity to revolutionize primary care delivery. Digital health tools enable healthcare providers to gain a comprehensive view of patient health, but standardized processes, clear SOPs, and advanced technology infrastructure are often lacking. By leveraging digital healthcare, a measurable framework can be established to enhance patient experience and clinical outcomes. India has the potential to become a global hub for dental and cosmetic treatments, but standardized quality parameters are needed to empower patients in making informed choices. Digital health companies can play a pivotal role in implementing these standards, particularly in dental care, setting a precedent for excellence that can extend to other medical specialties.

New Brunswick’s latest attempt to expand primary care access involves collaborative care clinics, a model that has faced challenges in the past. Collaborative care clinics group physicians, nurses, and other allied health practitioners under one system with central administration support. The idea is to tailor patient visits to their specific needs, freeing up doctors and nurse practitioners to handle more acute cases. Despite past successes, funding issues have caused setbacks. The government has now earmarked $20 million for collaborative care practices, hoping that administrative support will attract physicians. While healthcare professionals have expressed a desire for collaborative settings, the message may not have reached policymakers. The success of this latest attempt remains to be seen, but the potential benefits of improved access and reduced wait times are significant.

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) has expressed concern over the持續 decline in the number of medical students pursuing residency in family medicine. According to the OMA, the number of unfilled family medicine spots has increased significantly in recent years, from 30 in 2020 to 108 in 2023. This trend is concerning as it suggests a shortage of family doctors in the province, which could impact access to primary care for Ontarians. The OMA has identified several challenges that may be contributing to the decline in interest in family medicine, including administrative burdens, a lack of support for clinical teaching, and financial considerations. The organization is calling on the government to address these issues and invest in primary care to ensure that Ontarians have access to the family doctors they need.

Across the United States, a trend is emerging to integrate oral health services into medical checkups, particularly for children and pregnant women who may face challenges in accessing dental care independently. This integration aims to address the high prevalence of oral disease among these populations, train primary care providers in oral health assessment and prevention, and connect patients with dentists or dental hygienists for further treatment. Federally funded programs have played a significant role in expanding these efforts, but socioeconomic disparities, workforce shortages, and the needs of migrant communities pose ongoing challenges. Dental hygienists embedded within medical practices have proven effective in increasing the frequency of fluoride application and improving parents’ knowledge about dental care. The integration of oral health services into prenatal visits for pregnant women also presents opportunities to improve oral health outcomes, given the increased frequency of appointments and access to dental coverage during pregnancy. However, financial uncertainty resulting from the unwinding of pandemic-related Medicaid expansions and workforce shortages in dental professions continue to hinder the expansion of these programs and the provision of comprehensive oral health care to vulnerable populations.