Goals and Targets: Applicability to Primary Health Care

Abstract

The importance of outcomes in evaluating and judging health care programs is increasing, particularly in New South Wales. A review of the literature suggests the relevance of outcomes to primary health care might be limited. A small survey of primary care staff working out of Community Health Centres in rural New South Wales (NSW) revealed that staff believe they are often involved in population focus work, while health education and promotion are carried out by staff working with individuals. The identification of the use of primary care strategies is not high unless staff have had experience in a particular area, and the NSW Health Improvement Program is not particularly well understood.