COPC

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 APS;  PHC;  COPC;  

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Abstract: Family physicians in Cuba and the United States operate within very different health systems. Cubas health system is notable for achieving developed country health outcomes despite a developing country economy. The authors of this study traveled to Cuba and reviewed the literature to investigate which practices of Cuban family physicians might be applicable for US family physicians wishing to learn from the Cuban experience. We found that community-oriented primary care (COPC) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are well developed within the Cuban medical system. Because COPC and CAM are already recommended by US family medicine professional bodies, US family physicians may want to learn from the Cuban experience and perhaps incorporate elements into their individual practices.

 APS;  PHC;  COPC;  

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Abstract: Since its inception in rural, pre-apartheid South Africa, community-oriented primary care (COPC) has intrigued and informed public health and primary care leaders worldwide. COPC has influenced such programs as the US community health center movement, the general practice movement in the United Kingdom, and recent reforms in the public health system of South Africa. We provide a global overview of COPC, tracing its conceptual roots, reviewing its many manifestations, and exploring its future prospects as an organizational paradigm for the democratic organization of community health services. We examine the pitfalls and paradoxes of COPC and suggest its future utility. COPC has important values and methods to offer disparate but powerful movements in public health worldwide.

 APS;  PHC;  COPC;  APOC;  

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Community-oriented primary care (COPC) is a systematic approach to health care based upon principles derived from epidemiology, primary care, preventive medicine, and health promotion. We describe the development of COPC from an historical perspective. A critical assessment of current trends and implication for physician education and practice of COPC will be discussed in a companion article in the next issue of The Journal. METHODS: MEDLINE was searched using the key phrase community-oriented primary care Other sources of information included books and other documents. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the 1950s, Sydney Kark showed dramatic positive changes in the health status of the population of Pholela, South Africa, using this approach. Similar approaches showed positive change in the health status of poor and underserved populations in the United States. The results were so impressive that the Institute of Medicine recommended widespread application of COPC in the United States. Successful COPC practices, however, have historically required considerable external funding from private and government sources. Thus, controversy about the feasibility of implementation of COPC in mainstream primary care practices developed. Schools of medicine and the discipline of family medicine have struggled to implement effective training in COPC within traditional medical school and residency structures. Yet, the societal need for recognition of and intervention in community health problems and coordination of community health resources continues.

 APS;  PHC;  COPC;  

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