Correct Terminology for Primary Care Facilities
The correct term to refer to a primary care centre is "primary health care centre" (PHC centre), which reflects the broader World Health Organization framework encompassing both individual clinical services and population-level health functions. 1, 2
Terminology Distinction
Primary Health Care (PHC) is the internationally recognized term that describes a comprehensive approach to health service delivery, while "primary care" refers more narrowly to individual clinical services. 3
- The World Health Organization defines primary health care as "first-contact, accessible, continuous, comprehensive and coordinated person-focused care" that optimizes population health 1, 2
- Primary care describes the narrower concept of "family doctor-type" services delivered to individuals, whereas primary health care includes both individual services and population-level public health functions 3
- Recent international usage consistently distinguishes these terms, with PHC representing the broader, more accurate descriptor for facilities providing comprehensive community-based services 3
Core Characteristics of PHC Centres
PHC centres are distinguished by six key attributes that extend beyond simple clinical care delivery: 4
- Primary care services - first-contact clinical care for individuals 4
- Accessibility - creating entry points that reduce barriers to care 1, 4
- Preventative care - emphasis on disease prevention and early intervention 4, 5
- Defined population focus - serving specific communities with identified needs 4, 2
- Health promotion - addressing social determinants and community health 4, 6
- Comprehensive and integrated care - coordinating services across the health system 4, 1
Alternative Acceptable Terms
"Community health centre" is an acceptable alternative term, particularly in contexts emphasizing underserved populations and community-based care. 1, 4
- Community health centres typically provide primary health care services to populations encountering barriers to care, including low-income persons, immigrants, refugees, and uninsured individuals 1
- This term has been used since the 1920s and remains integral to healthcare systems in many countries 4
- The terms are often used interchangeably in clinical practice, though PHC centre more accurately reflects the WHO framework 1
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not use "primary care centre" when referring to facilities that provide population-level health functions and community-based services, as this understates their comprehensive role. 3, 2
- Using "primary care" alone implies a limited focus on individual clinical encounters rather than the broader health promotion and disease prevention mandate 3, 6
- The distinction matters for policy development, evaluation, and research regarding these facilities 4
- International guidelines and health organizations consistently favor "primary health care" terminology to reflect the comprehensive nature of these services 1, 2, 3