The spotlight of Health Policy Developments 11 is on primary care. Thirty years after Alma-Ata, the WHO's declaration on primary care has lost none of its relevance. Hopes are high, realization a real challenge: Ideally, primary care overcomes the divide between the outpatient and inpatient sectors and crosses the line to other medical specialties by integrating services and providers. Its structured coordination with care support systems inside and outside the health sector and a clear focus on prevention and support for self-management are already key components of primary care in a number of developed countries. In this publication, we present the latest developments in this highly dynamic area as well as innovations in quality assessment and transparency, patient information and health technology assessment. The International Network Health Policy and Reform aims to narrow the gap between health services research and health policy. Network partners are research institutions and health policy experts from 20 industrialized countries.
