Primary care includes health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, counseling, patient education, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses in a variety of health care settings (e.g., office, inpatient, critical care, long-term care, home care, daycare, etc.). Primary Care is performed and managed by a Personal Healthcare Provider often collaborating with other health professionals and utilizing consultation or referral as appropriate. Primary care provides patient advocacy in the health care system to accomplish cost-effective healthcare, promotes effective health management, and encourages the role of the patient as a partner in health care.
Primary health care results in better health outcomes, reduce health disparities, and lower spending, including avoidable emergency department visits and hospital care. Primary care providers are an important component in ensuring that the healthcare system is sustainable.