CPD Articles

Primary health care strengthening through the lens of healthcare system thinking

Ramprakash Kaswa, Klaus von Pressentin
South African Family Practice | Vol 67, No 1 : Part 1| a6039 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v67i1.6039 | © 2025 Ramprakash Kaswa, Klaus von Pressentin | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 08 September 2024 | Published: 23 January 2025

About the author(s)

Ramprakash Kaswa, Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
Klaus von Pressentin, Department of Family, Community and Emergency Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Despite the strides made in healthcare, many countries still struggle to meet citizen healthcare needs, leading to global and regional health inequalities. The complex interactions between healthcare systems and disciplines present challenges for primary care providers and family physicians. Primary care providers must be equipped with tools and resources to effectively fulfil their duties, such as clinical governance, leadership and capacity building. This article focusses on various thinking approaches that primary care providers can employ, namely systems thinking, complexity science thinking and learning health systems thinking. We appreciate that individual styles and preferences, organisational culture and systemic realities influence multiple modes of thinking and decision-making. A range of modes of thinking and mental models will assist with tackling challenges and opportunities in the primary healthcare system. We hope this brief overview encourages readers to experiment with different ways of thinking to help facilitate innovative solutions.


Keywords

healthcare system; primary care; family physician; clinical governance; leadership.

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