Dépeuplement rural et offre de soins de premiers recours : quelles réalités et quelles solutions ?

Abstract

Primary health care (PHC) and the needs of local populations in rural depopulated areas have been little explored, although health care access remains an issue in those areas. This study compares depopulating areas with other rural areas, using several statistical and national approaches. Results show diminished health care access in those areas, although medical needs are critically high. In addition, this study assesses multi-disciplinary group practice in primary care, which aims to attract and retain the general practitioner. Results show that the PHCGP helps to reduce the erosion of PHC in some depopulated areas, but not systematically, and that other policies need to be deployed in these areas.

Keywords

• health care need
• depopulating area
• general practitioner
• multi-disciplinary group practice in primary care
• rural area