Seattle, WA – Qualis Health, one of the nation's leading population health management organizations, has released proceedings for the symposium, “Primary Care in the United States: Lessons Learned to Inform Global Efforts to Improve Primary Care.” The symposium was convened with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The symposium showcased key concepts and approaches from American primary care to inform efforts to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries.
Sixteen experts from across the U.S. shared examples of healthcare delivery that illustrate high-functioning primary care, and described system innovations for improved care, better population health, and effective healthcare spending. Presenters introduced several emerging U.S. models of primary care delivery system design and recent innovations serving diverse populations. A distinguished reactor panel reflected on aspects of these American examples of interest to those working on primary healthcare system improvements globally.
“Although we currently have a disconnected patchwork of primary care delivery models in the U.S., some of the systems operate very effectively,” observes Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH, Qualis Health President & CEO. “So while other countries may not seek to emulate U.S. healthcare as a whole, exemplary U.S. primary care systems can serve as a source of ideas and inspiration for those seeking to improve primary care throughout the world.”
“For those of us working on global integrated healthcare delivery, the body of work presented at the symposium represents a wealth of knowledge with high potential value in primary healthcare system improvement efforts happening globally,” says Jack Langenbrunner, Senior Program Officer, Comparative Health Systems, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.