Thirty years after Alma-Ata, the World Health Organization's landmark declaration on the importance of primary health care has lost none of its relevance. Hopes are high, but realization of the WHO's goals proves to be a continuing challenge. Ideally, primary care overcomes the divide between the outpatient and inpatient sectors and crosses the line to other medical specialties by integrating services and providers.
For a number of developed countries, structured coordination with care support systems, a clear focus on prevention, and support for self-management are already key components of a primary care system. This volume presents the latest developments in this primary care worldwide, as well as innovations in quality assessment and transparency, patient information, and health technology assessment.