How primary care is essential for optimizing the function of the whole health system.

What is it about?

A sophisticated hospital and specialist oriented health system is great for a relatively young population whose needs are generally short-term and well-defined (e.g., trauma). However, with an aging population comes more complex long-term conditions -- this arrangement is not sustainable. This is seen in Singapore where hospital and emergency room services are increasing even faster than the increase in the older population. A primary care system, capable of handling the complexity and volume of chronic problems is essential to reducing these health system stresses, and improving the health and well being of the broad population.

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Why is it important?

While much emphasis is placed on technical solutions to the challenges of an ageing population, such as artificial intelligence and precision medicine, coordination of long-term care under a primary care provider is an established strategy for improving health outcomes and moderating costs. The challenge is to establish policy that encourages enhanced capacity and capability of the primary care sector.

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