Overview
Primary Health Care Services include care given on initial contact and in the ambulatory setting, such as treatment for acute diseases, managing chronic diseases, continuity of care, using preventative measures, teaching, and employing an understanding of emotional and social factors in the assessment and intervention for each individual patient. Primary Care encompasses all stages of life and consists of five major components:
- Accessibility
- Accountability
- Comprehensive Care
- Coordinated/Continuous Care
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
All components must be met to provide primary health care in Nurse Managed Clinics (NMC), Rural Health Care/Training Centers (RHC/TC), Rural Health Clinics (RHC), Community Health Centers (CHC), and other types of care.
- Community Health Centers
Community Health Centers (CHCs) serve as invaluable resources in expanding access to essential primary healthcare services by addressing barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, distance, and language. These centers yield significant advantages to both the nation and its healthcare system by working towards equitable access to care, promoting preventive services, and ultimately improving overall health outcomes for individuals and communities. The Office of Primary Care administers the State Community Health Center Operating Grant.
- Indiana Primary Care Learning Collaborative
The Indiana Primary Care Learning Collaborative brings together a large number of teams from hospitals or clinics to learn from each other and the content experts on how to improve in specific areas.
- Primary Care Cooperative Agreement
The Primary Care Cooperative Agreement is supported by the United States Department of Health and Human Services in the Bureau of Health Workforce. The Cooperative Agreement supports the Indiana Primary Care Office to provide healthcare workforce and shortage designation analysis, technical assistances, and liaison with federal, state, and local partners.
Activities of the Primary Care Office include but are not limited to:
- Conducting a statewide community needs assessment
- Coordinating the HPSA and MUA/P designation processes
- Collecting and recording provider data
- Providing technical assistance and collaboration to expand access to primary care, including coordination of NHSC programs and provider recruitment and retention
- Collaborating with Health Center workforce planning and development
- Collaborating with other HRSA partners and organizations to support access to primary care services