Table 1 Domains, items and definitions of the PCAT.

1. First contact (access)

5

The provision of primary care services that are accessible when a need for care arises. First contact refers to the primary care provider being responsible for assisting the client to enter the healthcare system for each non-referred provision of health care.

2. First contact (utilisation)

3

The utilisation of primary care services when a need for care arises. First contact refers to the primary care provider being responsible for assisting the client to enter the healthcare system for each non-referred provision of health care.

3. Ongoing care

9

The use of a regular source of care over time that is not limited to certain types of healthcare needs. Longitudinally involves the development of a patient–provider relationship based on established trust and a knowledge of the patient and his/her family. A ‘health care home’ is thus established for each patient to promote the provision of ongoing care regardless of the presence or absence of disease.

4. Coordination (system)

10

Linking of healthcare events and services. Primary care has the responsibility and obligation to transfer information to and receive it from other resources that may be involved in the care of a client, and to develop and implement an appropriate plan for healthcare management and disease prevention.

5. Coordination (information)

3

Coordination requires the establishment of mechanisms to communicate information and the incorporation of that information into the client’s plan of care.

6. Comprehensiveness (available)

21

Primary care makes available a range of essential personal health services that promote and preserve health and provide care for illness and disability.

7. Comprehensiveness (provided)

9

Primary care offers a range of essential personal health services that promote and preserve health and provide care for illness and disability.

8. Family-centredness

3

Care understands the impact of family characteristics on the genesis and prevention of ill health, as well as the response to both medical and psychosocial interventions. Family-centred primary care recognises and incorporates knowledge of the family context (resources, risk factors, social factors) into the planning and delivery of primary care.

9. Community orientation

6

Care refers to efforts to recognise the primary care needs of a defined population. The effective delivery of services to individuals and communities is based on an understanding of community needs and the integration of a population perspective in the provision of health care. Primary care providers contribute to and participate in community assessment, health surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation.

10. Culturally competent

5

Care incorporates cultural references into the provision of primary care. Services are designed to be acceptable to people in the community, who may be distinguished by common values, language, heritage, and beliefs about health and disease. The views of these groups should be determined and incorporated into decisions involving policies, priorities, and plans related to the delivery of healthcare services.

11. PHC team available

6

The availability of members of the multidisciplinary primary health care team such as social workers, therapists or community health workers.

12. Primary care score

(Total)

Mean of the scores for: first contact (utilization); first contact (access); extent of affiliation with a place/doctor; ongoing care; coordination; coordination (information); comprehensiveness (services available); comprehensiveness (services provided).