Primary health care funding models

Abstract

The way primary health care (PHC) services are funded ultimately impacts on the quality, access and coordination of health service delivery. Financial mechanisms have long been used to influence provider behaviour, for example to increase productivity, control costs and improve efficiency.1 Health system administrators are charged with the task of meeting growing demand for services with finite resources, emphasising quality and placing a financial value on it. This RESEARCH ROUNDup examines the funding models that impact on PHC service delivery.