Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Strengthening primary health care service competency

A scoping review of challenges, influencing factors, and enhancement strategies

Bibliographic Data

ID22086405
AuthorsSen Yang (0000-0001-9953-4499, Community Health Center), Chaohui Bai (Community Health Center), Yajun Zhao (0000-0003-4289-9766, Sun Yat-sen University), Jiaojiao Wang (0000-0001-7550-2169, Yangpu Hospital of Tongji University), Hua Jin (0000-0002-2176-7556, Shanghai Medical Information Center, corresponding author), Ben Harris-Roxa (0000-0003-1716-2009), Ben Harris-Roxas (The University of Sydney), Yalin Liu (0000-0003-0337-6380), Fei Shen (0000-0002-6682-1712, Community Health Center), Huaxin Zhao (Tongji University), Le Ma (0000-0001-7592-9779, Shanghai Medical Information Center), Leiyu Shi (0000-0001-9227-0849, Johns Hopkins University, corresponding author), Dehua Yu (Shanghai Medical Information Center, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume13
Pages1732011-1732011
Publication date2026-01-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1732011
PMID41584164
OpenAlexW7119904358
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited91

Objective: This scoping review aims to evaluate the factors influencing the service capacity of primary health care (PHC) institutions and to identify strategies for their development. Methods: We conducted a scoping review based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework and systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS for studies published from January 2014 to December 2024. Eligible research addressing PHC capacity-building interventions across diverse health systems was synthesized thematically. Results: = 28). Key challenges identified included workforce shortages, inequitable resource allocation, fragmented policy frameworks, limited integration of health information technologies, and persistent inequities in service delivery. Strategies to strengthen PHC capacity centered on workforce development, technology-enabled innovation, equitable service models, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Conclusion: Strengthening PHC capacity requires integrated approaches, including localized workforce training, technological adoption, optimized equity in service provision, and enhanced interdisciplinary cooperation. These approaches provide context-sensitive and equity-oriented pathways for building sustainable PHC systems-particularly in resource-constrained settings-supporting progress toward Universal Health Coverage and reducing global health disparities. Systematic review registration: Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/MDR73

Health care · Health services · MEDLINE · Primary care · Primary health care · Global Maternal and Child Health · Interprofessional Education and Collaboration · Primary Care and Health Outcomes

  • Pathways for enhancing service capability of primary healthcare institutions

    Open Access•Meijiao Wang, Hongxiao Zhu et al.•Frontiers in Public Health•2026

  • Trends in the Use of Telehealth During the Emergence of the Covid-19 Pandemic — United States, January–March 2020

    Open Access•Lisa M Koonin, Brooke Hoots et al.•MMWR. Surveillance Summaries•2020

  • An Evidence‐Based Approach to Scoping Reviews

    Open Access•Hanan Khalil, Micah D J Peters et al.•Worldviews on Evidence-Based…•2016

  • Universal health coverage in Indonesia

    Open Access•Rina Agustina, Teguh Dartanto et al.•The Lancet•2019

  • Health systems development in Thailand

    Open Access•Viroj Tangcharoensathien, Woranan Witthayapipopsakul et al.•The Lancet•2018

  • Quality of primary health care in China

    Open Access•Xi Li, Harlan M Krumholz et al.•The Lancet•2020

  • Trends and outcomes in primary health care expenditures in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–2017

    Open Access•Matthew Schneider, Matthew T Schneider et al.•BMJ Global Health•2021

  • The role of Primary Health Care, primary care and hospitals in advancing Universal Health Coverage

    Open Access•Luke N Allen, Luisa M Pettigrew et al.•BMJ Global Health•2023

  • The health workforce status in the WHO African Region

    Open Access•Adam Ahmat, Sunny C Okoroafor et al.•BMJ Global Health•2022

  • Telemedicine implementation and use in community health centers during Covid-19

    Open Access•Denise D Payán, Jennifer L Frehn et al.•SSM - Qualitative Research in…•2022

  • Successes and challenges of primary health care in Australia

    Open Access•Tesfaye S Mengistu, Resham B Khatri et al.•Journal of Global Health•2023

  • Perspectives of health workers engaging in task shifting to deliver health care in low-and-middle-income countries

    Open Access•Karen Coales, Hannah Maria Jennings et al.•Global Health Action•2023

  • The Effectiveness of Educational Intervention in Improving Primary Health-Care Service Providers’ Knowledge, Identification, and Management of Elder Abuse and Neglect

    Open Access•Fadzilah Hanum Mohd Mydin, Choo Wan Yuen et al.•Trauma Violence & Abuse•2021

  • Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Acceptability of Medical Male Circumcision among Males in Traditionally Circumcising Rural Communities of Alfred Nzo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    Open Access•Thobani Ntshiqa, Alfred Musekiwa et al.•International Journal of…•2023

  • Analysis of factors affecting medical personnel seeking employment at primary health care institutions

    Open Access•Huanhuan Jia, Xihe Yu et al.•International Journal for Equity…•2022

  • The association between social integration and utilization of primary health care among migrants in China

    Open Access•Xueyao Wang, Jue Liu et al.•International Journal for Equity…•2023

  • An innovative leadership development initiative to support building everyday resilience in health systems

    Open Access•Jacinta Nzinga, Mwanamvua Boga et al.•Health Policy and Planning•2021

  • Specialist and family physician collaboration

    Open Access•Linda Lee, Loretta M Hillier et al.•Health & Social Care in the…•2019

  • The origins of Ethiopia's primary health care expansion

    Open Access•Kevin Croke•Health Policy and Planning•2021

Unique citing works1
Citations per year1
Citation span2026 - 2026 (1)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 1
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae