Authors (including presenting author) :
Lydia Tiu L C,Teresa Tse W M, Wong M S, Wangie Leung W C, Wanmie Leung W M,Cheung P H, Annow Chow WP, Kathy Cheung Y H, Marcus Wong M S, Michelle Wong M Y
Affiliation :
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare, Hong Kong East Cluster (HKEC), Hospital Authority (HA)
Introduction :
With the increasing aging population and the epidemiological shift to chronic diseases such as Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus, over 590 million people attend the General Outpatient Clinics (GOPCs) of Hospital Authority for primary care service. The follow-up interval is lengthening. The appointment schedule is not flexible.
The GOPC Public Private Partnership Program (PPP) has been launched out in the Hong Kong East Cluster since October 2016. Stable hypertension patients who had regular follow up more than 1 year in the GOPC will be invited to join the program. Patients will have 10 subsidized consultations with the private doctors per year.
Objectives :
- To provide choices for patient on choosing health care service
- To promote the family doctor concept. One patient, one doctor.
-To manage the public health care demand
Methodology :
- The program was launched in 6 GOPCs in the HKEC accordingly by different timeline. By setting up of patient-centered help desk in clinics to facilitate patient recruitment. Ongoing support to both patients and private doctors would be provided.
- Help Desk staff approached eligible hypertension patients individually on their day of follow-up to promote the program.
- In addition, regular patient forums were organized to promote the program to patients and for on-site enrollment.
- Private Doctors referred patients back to HA for examination request such as blood taking, X-ray examination and ECG Examination annually or if necessary.
Result & Outcome :
Result
As at 31 Dec 2019, a total of 3670 patients were participating in the program. Over 99% of participants expressed satisfaction with the program. The primary care service in private sector is easy accessible. The follow-up interval is shorter and thus allows a closer monitoring of their chronic medical conditions. At the same time, patients staying in GOPC could have more frequent review of their chronic diseases.
Conclusion
This is a very innovative experience for us to collaborate with private doctors to strive to achieve the continuity primary care hand in hand.
