Community Oriented Primary Care An Overview Fitzhugh Mullan, M. D.
COPC is. . . • A basic method for the practice of community medicine • A blending of public health practice and clinical medicine • A training discipline for community based academicians
COPC is. . . A systematic approach to the practice of medicine in the community built on principles of epidemiology and community organizing
COPC blends. . . • Public health and personal health care • Epidemiology and primary care • The forest and the trees • The forester and the tree surgeon
COPC process. . . • Community definition • Community characterization • Problem prioritization • Detailed assessment • Intervention • Evaluation
Community Definition • Geographic community • Health care coverage “community” • Special Population Community
Community Characterization • Quantitative Information – Demographic – Health data • Qualitative Information – Focus groups – Key informants
Problem Prioritization • Issue triage • Frequency, severity, and feasibility principles • Prioritization groups – Community – Staff
Detailed Assessment • Develop Community-Specific Information • Examine Literature and Experience • Select an Intervention • Invent No Wheels
Intervention To consider. . . • Time • Personnel • Tracking • Impact • “Winning”
Evaluation • Process • Impact • Outcome • Community utility
The Power of COPC • COPC as a Movement • COPC as an Ethos • COPC as an Organizing Principle
COPC -- A Much Used Term • “Lower Case” COPC • “Upper Case” COPC
Origins of COPC • Sidney and Emily Kark • Phoela, Kwazulu Natal, RSA • Department of Family and Community Health, University of Natal in Durban
COPC Migration • Hadassah - Hebrew University, Jerusalem • Kiryat Ha. Yovel Community Health Center • International MPH program
COPC in the United States • IOM Conference, 1982 • IOM/NAS Publications, 1982 -84 • Parkland Hospital, Dallas • Montifiore Social Medicine Residency Program • APHA Book
DC and COPC • COPC track at GWSPHHS, 1997 • CNMC General Academic Pediatric Fellowship Program, 1997 • GW-Hebrew University International Certificate Program, 1998 • Medical University of Southern Africa partnership, 1999