Background: The Louisiana Office of Public Health undertook a statewide assessment of primary health care services in 1999-2000. This assessment was developed and implemented in collaboration with the La. Office of Primary Health Care and the La. Turning Point Partnership. This survey targeted essentially all primary care practice sites, acute care hospitals and dentists, in each of Louisiana’s 64 counties.
Objectives: Our goal is to assess community capacity for addressing the comprehensive health related needs of the population, especially the Medicaid, indigent and uninsured populations. The objectives are to: identify primary care services available in each county; identify clinical and agency partners to improve primary care program in each county and district; and, provide communities data for health services planning.
Methods: The methodology included development of comprehensive survey tools to capture essential information on primary health care services; collaboration with the La. State Boards of Medical and Dental Examiners and statewide medical and dental societies; and, partnering with nursing schools to collect and analyze data. This assessment was implemented in partnership with nine district public health offices.
Findings/Conclusions: Collected data informs policy makers and planners from the state to community level on the availability and distribution of primary health care services in their counties. Data products include: data for Healthy Communities planning; data for Title V: Maternal and Child Health five year needs assessment; GIS maps of services against population in need; and referral directories of providers accepting Medicaid and uninsured patients.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to: - Describe Louisiana's methodology for assessing county capacity to provide primary health care
Keywords: Assessments, Primary Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: - Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health and Primary Care Office
- Louisiana Turning Point Partnership
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.