ABSTRACT
The US may be catching up to other nations in recognizing that primary care must be the foundation of a just, effective, and efficient health care system. International models of health care delivery and increasing numbers of large employer experiences provide compelling evidence that a highly functional primary care base makes it possible to achieve the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's "triple aim" of improved quality, improved experience of care, and managed costs. Unable to access a primary care practice, many turn to emergency rooms for routine illnesses, and continue to have no ongoing attention to their hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and other chronic diseases. Each patient has an ongoing relationship with a personal physician trained to provide first contact, continuous and comprehensive care. The personal physician is responsible for providing for all the patient's health care needs or taking responsibility for appropriately arranging care with other qualified professionals.
