The state of community-oriented primary care: physician and residency program surveys.

BACKGROUND

Although the concept of community-oriented primary care (COPC) has generally been favorably viewed, it does not appear to have been widely applied. Further development of COPC will depend on data regarding the extent of knowledge about COPC, of COPC application and training, and of perceived obstacles to its use.

METHODS

Surveys of 200 randomly selected board-certified family physicians and 120 randomly selected family practice residency programs were conducted to determine the state of knowledge and use of COPC.

RESULTS

Sixty percent of the physicians and 81% of the training programs responded. Approximately 75% of the responding physicians and 25% of the program directors had not heard of COPC. Despite this, COPC is viewed positively, and some elements of a COPC approach are part of many practice and training sites. Respondents identified several needs for information on COPC, including more information about COPC, practical models of its use, improved methodology of its application, and demonstrations of its efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

COPC is seen as an attractive theoretical model. However, more extensive application of this approach will require more familiarity with the concept, the development of practical methodology and models for its use, and demonstrations of its efficacy.