Primary care electronic panels in Croatia: an information solution for more proactive primary health care services: good practice brief

ABSTRACT

In 2014, the Croatian Health Insurance Fund introduced “primary care panels for NCDs”, an innovative instrument that allows systematic recording and management of data on patients with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The aim of the panels was to improve model of care for NCDs in primary care by strengthening the role of general practitioners as the primary information holders and care coordinators. Systematic, easy access to important information facilitated both clinical and managerial decision-making. Three years since country-wide introduction of primary care panels, their coverage is now 3.8 million adults. They have resulted in better patient stratification, better management of NCDs in primary care, fewer secondary complications from NCDs and fewer patients who require a consultation with a specialist.