Statement of Intent

The Hong Kong Primary Healthcare Reference Framework is constructed from global best practice. Up-to-date evidence, ethics, social acceptability, equity, feasibility and resource availability are all taken into consideration to guide the development of evidence-based recommendations, cross-disciplinary clinical care pathways, service standards with respective training requirements best-suited for Hong Kong’s healthcare system and culture. They are subject to change as scientific knowledge, technology advances, and patterns of care evolve, and will be regularly reviewed and updated.

As stated in the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, the Hong Kong Primary Healthcare Reference Framework aims to ensure the quality of primary healthcare service delivered by the multi-disciplinary primary healthcare team across both public and private sectors, and enhance patient outcomes. Recommendations on healthy lifestyle, prevention and management of common health problems and chronic diseases are developed to guide and coordinate provision of comprehensive, continuing, evidence-based, holistic care in the primary healthcare setting, empower patients and their carers, inform service planning and facilitate performance monitoring.

These recommendations and respective care components are established as standards of care, to be adopted by all family doctors and healthcare professionals enlisted on the Primary Care Directory who participate in provision of primary healthcare services. It must also be recognised that all persons and patients are unique and have their own needs. Appropriate care for each person and patient must be determined on the basis of all the facts and circumstances involved; diagnostic and management options must be discussed to empower Hong Kong citizens to make informed decision for their health.

• Application of the HKPRF: a concise guide on how to apply the HKPRF recommendations and supplementary information in daily practice