Korean J Fam Med.  2009 Jul;30(7):525-532. 10.4082/kjfm.2009.30.7.525.

Present Status of Papers on the Primary Care Quality Assessment in Korea

• Jeong JW
• Sung NJ

• KMID: 2235588
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2009.30.7.525

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The analysis of the papers on the primary care quality assessment in Korea was performed to summarize existing papers, estimate the level of primary care quality, and suggest the directions and areas of the future research. METHODS: Primary care quality-related papers were selected via internet web search engines which were Korean Journal of Family Medicine homepage, KMbase, and KoreaMed. Further papers were added after consultation to primary care quality assessment specialists in Korea. RESULTS: The number of related papers was 29. Data collection was done mostly via mail or telephone questionnaire to suppliers, primary care physicians. Papers on resource capacity area were 11, on services delivery 4, on outcome by service 2, and on clinical performance 12. The total primary care score was low. The themes of clinical performance studies were common diseases in Korea. CONCLUSION: Research volume on primary care quality assessment was poor, especially on outcome area. Data collection methods and quality indicators are needed to diverse. Future researches using OECD health care quality indicators are needed to make international comparison possible, which finally contributes to primary care quality improvement in Korea.

Keyword

Primary Care; Quality Assessment; Systematic Review; South Korea

MeSH Terms

Data Collection
Humans
Internet
Korea
Physicians, Primary Care
Postal Service
Primary Health Care
Quality Improvement
Quality Indicators, Health Care
Quality of Health Care
Republic of Korea
Search Engine
Specialization
Telephone