Impact of family medicine in the province of Granma, Cuba: an update with 2012 data

Abstract

Introduction. As part of the Cuban economic model reforms, the role of human resources in improving the quality of care is essential in understanding the changes that have been implemented in healthcare. The Eastern province of Granma is not immune to these changes, nor to the ongoing pursuit of quality of life for its residents based on the foundational concepts of family medicine. Aim. To describe the impact of family medicine as a specialty on the health system in the province of Granma in 2012. Analysis. The article describes indicators such as the use of technology in primary health care, activities of general medicine, trends in consultations and home visits at the primary care level as well as the provincial working group of general medicine and specialist training. Conclusion. It is important to consider family medicine indicators in the province of Granma in 2012, among which: 100% coverage by family doctors and nurses provided by 28 secondary centers and 371 out-patient clinics, improvement of rural social healthcare, increase of all consultations in primary health care, field visits and household access, a decrease in the number of visits to the emergency services of university clinics, and rational use of diagnostic tests.

Keywords

• family medicine
• primary health care