The future of primary health care

You may not recognize the primary health care, but it is essentially your first contact with the health care system. This may take the form of a visit to your family doctor at a health center, a pharmacy or a clinic. It may also be to draw health professionals who provide advice by phone, or to participate in a workshop of self-care to learn how to play a more active role in your health. Primary health care is to treat medical problems in the short term, to support medical long-term conditions such as diabetes, and even help you learn how to prevent injuries and illnesses. Prevention is a key objective of primary health care. Across Canada, governments work to strengthen primary health care to improve health care services available to Canadians. Properly organized and coordinated primary health care have enormous potential to improve the health system. For you, your family and all Canadians, it may mean better care, waiting lists are shorter, better access to health care services and health care system more sustainable.