[Results of a private primary health system based on a family health care model in Chile].

BACKGROUND The health care network of a University in Chile started a family based primary health care system using pre paid model as financing. AIM To describe the results of this family Health Care Center. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between 1999 and 2006, the Pontificia Universidad Catolica-Health Network offered a family care plan characterized by a preferential access to a Family Care Center (CSF), that coordinated and solved all health care needs. Several indicators and perception of satisfaction were used to assess the results of this plan, in 2003 and 2004. RESULTS During the study period, 5,402 people were attended. Seventy three percent of these were aged between 15-44 years. The waiting lapse was less than 48 hours for medical appointments and less than 30 days for programmed surgical procedures. The coverage of preventive actions varied from 26% of mammographies among women between 25 to 69 years old to 100% for healthy child care among newborns. Thirty one percent of diabetics achieved a glycosilated hemoglobin of less than 7% and 19% of hypertensive subjects achieved blood pressure values below 135/85 mmHg. Family physicians had 2.3 appointments per person per year and solved 85% of the medical problems that motivated the consultation. In average, 88% of interviewed subjects evaluated the attention received as very good or excellent. CONCLUSIONS The application of this model in the private sector achieves measurable health care results with a good degree of client satisfaction.