Primary care should be a gate-keeper for secondary health services to prevent illness, improve health, enable coping with illness, and satisfy needs. The family doctor model has been proposed by the government as a solution for the rising demand for quality primary health care services for the ageing population in Hong Kong. This study aimed to explore the utilisation rates and patterns of various primary health care services, and the process and outcomes of primary care consultations in Hong Kong, and whether having a family doctor makes any difference.<p></p>
The objectives were to determine the rates and patterns of utilisation of different primary health care services, the process (including non-drug managements) and patient self-reported outcomes (enablement, change in health, and satisfaction) following primary care consultations, and any difference in the care for people with and without a regular family doctor
