Comparison of Primary Care Experience in Hospital-Based Practices and Community-Based Office Practices in Japan

The Article in Brief

Comparison of Primary Care Experience in Hospital-Based Practices and Community-Based Office Practices in Japan

Takuya Aoki , and colleagues

Background In Japan, primary care services are generally delivered in both outpatient departments within hospitals and in community-based offices, that are often privately-owned and operate independently of hospitals. Little is known on the differences in patient experience between hospital-based and community-based office primary care practices in Japan.

What This Study Found A comparison of the strengths and challenges of primary care between hospital-based practices and community-based office practices was observed in a cross-sectional study in Japan. Six small and medium-sized hospitals and 19 community-based office practices participated in the study of 1,725 patients. Patient experience was measured using a Japanese version of the Primary Care Assessment Tool, which was comprised of first contact, longitudinality, coordination, comprehensiveness (services provided), and community orientation.

Implications

• Understanding the strengths of each practice type with respect to patient experience may inform future efforts to improve the patient experience overall.