Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores practical ways to achieve the holy grail of comprehensive primary health care – whole society collaboration for whole population health. It also explores how primary care, in partnership with public health, specialists and others, can facilitate activities that bring together – integrate – the efforts of people from different parts of the system. The book shows how overlapping cycles of learning and change can integrate multiple contributions to Primary health care (PHC). It also presents 'community-oriented integrated care' (COIC) as a way for primary care and public health to build community-based hubs of coordination for comprehensive PHC. The book discusses practical things that different leaders can do: policymakers, organisations such as general practices and geographic localities.