What are the implications of the definition for the scope of primary care?

1. What are the health problems and risks in a population that constitute the potential targets of primary care?

2. What is the relationship of these primary care functions to

   specialty care,

   other first-contact health services,

   mental health and substance abuse services,

   community and population-based health services,

   social services, and

   people's responsibility for their own health?

3. How do the functions of primary care have to be modified to meet the special needs of some population groups, such as those living in rural areas; the socially and economically disadvantaged; people with different cultural backgrounds; the elderly; women, children, and adolescents; and the chronically disabled?

How does or how can primary care contribute to the objectives of the U.S. health care system, including

quality of care,

access,

efficiency,

patient satisfaction, and

clinician satisfaction?

Who should provide primary care?

1. What is the role of primary care clinicians, i.e., those whose predominant practice is focused on the primary care function as defined?

2. What are the roles in primary care of other specialists and subspecialists?

3. What are the roles of nonphysician clinicians (i.e., nurse practitioners and physician assistants), whose predominant activity is the provision of primary care as defined?

4. What are the roles of other health professionals, both in first-contact and referral roles (e.g., dentists, pharmacists, podiatrists, physical therapists, and optometrists)?

5. What are the characteristics of the primary care team and how does a team affect the roles of the participating clinicians?