The strength of Dutch healthcare is that the general practitioner’s role is enshrined in the primary care structure and the personal listing of patients (Box).1,2 Primary care is delivered through a personal working relationship with the patient over time and the payment system reinforces this to some extent. Capitation fee payment encourages delivery of care that is tailored to individual needs, rewarding powerful primary care strategies such as “watchful waiting” and the follow-up of the natural course of signs and symptoms.3 It takes considerations of financial reward out of the consultation.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
