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Libby Kalucy, PHC RIS
A recurrent theme in health reform is putting patients and their families at the centre of health care. This means communication with patients, partnerships, and a focus beyond specific conditions. Finding common ground with patients means understanding their preferences, values and needs.
What research is being done relating to patient centered primary health care? I heard several relevant presentations at the Hobart conference, but like other delegates I was spoilt for choice between concurrent sessions. However, the abstracts and presentations are available on-line. I found at least 25 papers and posters that examined aspects of patients' preferences, values and/or needs.
The research covered diverse patient groups and settings. For example, researchers were working with rural and urban aboriginal people, men with post natal depression, adolescents using performance and image enhancing drugs, women experiencing intimate partner violence, rural carers of people with dementia, people with chronic illness and their carers, and people with skin conditions, diabetes, post stroke mood disturbance, and gestational diabetes. Researchers used creative ways to find the right people to talk to, and used many methods, from in depth interviews, action research, focus groups and surveys.
The results of all these projects illustrate that Everyone holds different understandings of health, health care and well being, in the words of Janet Kelly who is working with urban aboriginal women. This rich research enterprise shows the efforts researchers and health care providers are making in primary health care to better understand the needs, values and preferences of people in many different circumstances.
For more information go to <www.phcris.org.au/conference/2008/>.
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