What is Primary Care 101?
Primary Care 101 is a symptom-based integrated clinical management guideline using an algorithmic approach for the management of common symptoms and chronic conditions in adults. The guidelines are intended for use by all health care practitioners working at primary care level in South Africa.
The aim is to standardise the approach to adults presenting to primary care with symptoms, or attending for review of their chronic condition or conditions. Primary Care 101 is aimed at assisting primary healthcare practitioners in providing the best evidencebased clinical care for patients whilst being fully cognisant that this is only one element of good quality care. The other key values that must be practised during all interactions with patients are:
- To accept that each person is unique
- To respect your patient’s concerns and choices
- To develop a relationship of mutual trust with your patient
- To communicate effectively, courteously and with empathy
- To actively arrange follow-up care especially for patients with chronic conditions
- To link the patient to community-based resources and support
- To ensure continuity of care, if possible.
Development of Primary Care 101
The Primary Care 101 Guideline is an expansion of the Practical Approach to Lung Health and HIV/AIDS in South Africa (PALSA PLUS), which originally drew on the World Health Organisation’s Practical Approach to Lung Health. The role of the Knowledge Translation Unit of the University of Cape Town Lung Institute is acknowledged in leading the development of these guidelines under contract from the National Department of Health. Primary Care 101 was finalised through a rigorous process of consultation with health managers in the public sector, clinicians, academics, patient advocacy groups and inputs from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, the South African Nursing Council, the South African Pharmacy Council and Medicines Control Council.
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Tip: More up to date information can be found online in the Education Database »medicine & health«.
