Primary Care Office
Purpose
The Primary Care Office (PCO) works to improve access to services for underserved populations, especially those who remain at increased risk of illness and premature death. The PCO supports and enhances health systems programming to optimize effectiveness and eliminate health disparities. Working and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders the PCO creates an environment in which health care professionals can carry out or facilitate the Core Public Health Functions, assure the provision of Essential Public Health Services, and advance the goals of Chapter 1 of Healthy Iowans 2010, Access to Quality Health Services. The PCO adopts the Institute of Medicines definition of primary care and acknowledges that it includes not only medical care but public health, mental health and oral health services.
Primary care is the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community. (IOM 1996)
The PCO promotes expansion of health care resources for vulnerable populations which include:
- uninsured,
- homeless,
- migrants,
- chronically ill, and
- those who live in areas with no access to primary care services.
Program Activities
- Primary care access analysis and intervention planning
- Shortage area designation submission
- Project development and grant application assistance
- National Health Service Corps site development and primary care provider recruitment and retention assistance
- Assistance in student recruitment into primary care service-oriented careers
- Sponsorship of J-1 Visa Waiver Physicians
- Consultation and technical assistance in health care reform and public health redesign
Additional Resources
Web Resources
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
www.hrsa.gov
HRSA directs programs that improve the nation's health by expanding access to comprehensive, quality health care for all Americans.
- HRSA Shortage Designation Branch
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/
The Shortage Designation Branch develops shortage designation criteria and uses them to decide whether or not a geographic area or population group is a Health Professional Shortage Area or a Medically Underserved Area or Population.
- Iowa Primary Care Association
http://www.iowapca.com/
The association's mission is to provide development, support servcies and programs to its member community and migrant health centers.
- National Health Service Corps
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov
The National Health Service Corps is committed to improving the health of the Nation's underserved. They unite communities in need with caring health professionals and support their efforts to build better systems of care through the Loan Repayment and Scholarship programs for Primary Care Providers.
- Waiver of the J Visa Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html
- J-1 Visa Waiver Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/hc_providers/j1visafaq.php#conrad30
- National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network (3RNet)
http://www.3rnet.org/
The National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network (3RNet) members are not-for-profit organizations helping health professionals find practice opportunities in rural and underserved areas.
Contact Information
Primary Care Office
Iowa Dept of Public Health
321 East 12 St., 4th fl. Lucas Bldg
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-7223
(515) 242-6879 (HPSA designation)
FAX (515) 242-6384
