A group of experts and panelists recently agreed that the most effective way to enhance the health outcomes of local communities is for everyone involved in primary care and public health to define their roles and overcome barriers of institutional communication.
The panelists spoke at the first Practical Playbook National Meeting, located in Bethesda, Maryland. It was held on May 23 and included LaMar Hasbrouck, executive director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and Julie Wood, American Academy of Family Physicians' vice president of health of the public and interprofessional activities.
Health experts agree that the population's health needs have improved in the U.S., but that it can be challenging to define population health. At this event, it was defined as prevention at single clinics and the whole-population level.
One of the main causes of the disconnect between public health officials and local doctors is using different terms for similar efforts. This problem causes confusion as well as poor partnerships, even when the two parties share goals.
"I would like to see us reach the point where we know how to enter into or sustain integration of public health and primary care," Wood said. "Resources and ideas should be available so family physicians can get involved with public health initiatives."
