Edited by Nicolette Sheridan, Tim Kenealy, Tom Love
New Zealand’s health services continue to see persistent inequity in health outcomes. This applies particularly for Māori, the indigenous population of New Zealand. The challenge of addressing inequity in health outcomes is a central concern for New Zealand policymakers.
This series explores which models of primary care in New Zealand deliver better and more equitable health outcomes for patients. We considered a range of models including traditional general practice (family practice), a patient-centered medical home, and models from practices owned by corporate entities, by indigenous Māori primary care organisations, or Pacific or non-governmental primary care organisations. These articles draw upon a national scale research project that measured associations between practice characteristics and patient outcomes. A minimum dataset was available for every patient and every primary care practice in the country (population approximately 5 million), with more detailed information available from half of the general practices in New Zealand (population approximately 3 million). Complementary qualitative data were collected from health sector, practice and patient interviews. Qualitative data collected before the COVID-19 pandemic and after the initial response to the pandemic sheds light on changes that emerged during the primary care response.
Papers have been selected based on scientific merit. The papers selected for this series address a number of complementary aspects of primary care’s impact on equitable health outcomes for New Zealanders. This collection of manuscripts has not been sponsored and will undergo the Journal’s standard peer review process.
The Guest Editors declare no competing interests.