Evaluation of primary care services in Hungary: a comprehensive description of provision, professional competences, cooperation, financing, and infrastructure, based on the findings of the Hungarian-arm of the QUALICOPC study.

Financing is based mostly on capitation, with additional compensatory elements and minor financial incentives. The gate-keeping function is weak. The communication between GPs and specialists is often insufficient. The number of available devices and equipment are appropriate. Single-handed practices are predominant. Appointment instead of queuing is a new option and is becoming more popular, mainly among better-educated and urban patients. GPs are involved in the management of almost all chronic condition of all generations. Despite the burden of administrative tasks, half of the GPs estimate their job as still interesting, burn-out symptoms were rarely found. Among the evaluated process indicators, access, continuity, comprehensiveness, and coordination were rated as satisfactory, together with equity among health outcome indicators. Financing is insufficient; therefore, many GPs are involved in additional income-generating activities. The old age of the GPs and the lack of the younger GPs generation contributes to a shortage in manpower. Cooperation and communication between different levels of health care provision should be improved, focusing better on community orientation and on preventive services. Financing needs continuous improvement and appropriate incentives should be implemented. There is a need for specific PC-oriented guidelines to define properly the tasks and competences of GPs.