Original scientific paper
Differences in the organizational structure and functioning of family practice in Brodsko-posavska county and republic of Croatia
Mladenka Vrcić Keglević
; Zaklada za razvoj obiteljske medicine, Črešnjevec 32, 10 000 Zagreb
Danijela Daus-Šebeđak
; Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Medicinski fakultet, Škola narodnog zdravlja “Andrija Štampar”, Katedra za obiteljsku medicinu
Abstract
Frequent “health care reforms” in the last 20 years led to changes in organization, structure and function of family practice (FP), with regional
differences in outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the organization and functioning of FP between a county [Brodskoposavska County (BPC)] and the Croatian mean. It was an observational, longitudinal study, using the Croatian Health Service Yearbooks, 1995-2014, the Croatian Network of planned and contracted
FPs, and national census.
Results.
The number of FPs in Croatia increased by 11.2% while in BPC it increased by 28.4%, but still 16 family doctors (FDs) are missing there
(17.4% in BPC vs. 5.5% in Croatia). However, in BPC there were more FD specialist than in Croatia (52.6 % vs. 49.3 %), and more enlisted patients (2,035 vs 1,849), while the number of annual visits o FP was less (44.0%-78.1% vs. 74.9-80,5%). The annual number of office visits per FD was similar and varied from 8,515 to 15,283 in Croatia vs. 9,063-15,483 in BPC, as well as the number of home visits (140-180 per FD in Croatia vs. 88-180 in BPC).
Conclusion.
FPs in BPC are understaffed; the FDs are overburdened by office visits and referrals, performing less home visits and preventive activities, which should be accounted for in any FP service planning, particularly concerning the rural regions.
Keywords
family practice; organizational structure; functioning; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
149231
URI
Publication date:
9.12.2015.
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