Universal health coverage: yes, but coverage of what?: the need for people-centered care

The concepts ‘person’ and ‘people’ centred care are explored within primary health care as defined in the declaration of Alma-Ata (1978) and the WHR 2008. They share common values like equity and social justice, the necessity to address the upstream causes of ill health, the need to integrate primary care and public health, the urge for a health systems approach and the importance of ‘social cohesion’ and the role of ‘social capital’. Based on seven concept maps aimed at conceptualizing ‘preconditions and obstacles for people centred care’ health policy makers, health care providers as well as patients identified four action fields: the provider level, the community level, the interaction between the provider and the community and the level of health care organization, including the health system but also overall society.