PCNs: Pain or Panacea? (PDF)

Running head: HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT
PCNs: PAIN OR PANACEA?
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1RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
Chapter1: Introduction...............................................................................................................2
1.1 Background......................................................................................................................2
1.2 Problem Statement...........................................................................................................3
1.3 Rationale of the study.......................................................................................................3
1.4 Aim and Objective...........................................................................................................4
1.5 Research Questions..........................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature Review.....................................................................................................4
2.1 Concept of PCNs..............................................................................................................4
2.2 Role of Pharmacists in PCNs...........................................................................................6
2.3 A framework of primary care...........................................................................................7
Chapter 3: Research Methodology.............................................................................................9
3.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................9
3.2 Research Study.................................................................................................................9
3.3 Search Strategy.................................................................................................................9
3.4 Data analysis..................................................................................................................10
3.5 Proposal timeline of the study........................................................................................11
3.6 Summary........................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................13

2RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Chapter1: Introduction
1.1 Background
The patient care networks (PCNs) are a new model or framework that has been a legal
body. According to PSNC (2020), PCNs are the major element of the National health services
(NHS) long term plan. NHS has enabled people to live longer by offering multiple health
services. Multiple sets of PCNs need to establish that would include the local community,
general physicians and multiple community-based along with social care providers. The
pharmacy would also play an important element in delivering health and social care services.
The major or ultimate objective of PCNs is to provide out of hospital care to the patients and
the entire community. Therefore, the objective can be achieved by placing multiple capable
primary care systems or networks. One of the major characteristics of PCNs is focusing on
the prevention of any disease or illness and also creating awareness for taking any rational
decision related to their health. For any complex situation or complications of patients, PCNs
would provide joined care for enhancing the efficiency in delivering the health services.
These networks would make use of technologies for accessing population needs for health
and any health inequalities. Furthermore, it would support the population in making any
clinical decision making along with monitoring their health performance. PCNs would use
the collective resource in multiple ways and implement in their practices for greater
resilience, access to sustainable workload and increase the range of professionals groups. A
general physician plays an important role as a leader in a particular primary care setting.
Therefore, every PCN must incorporate a general physician in taking the core role and also
accountable for the smooth running of PCN and delivering health outcomes. However, PCNs
concept is not limited to an only general physician, it believes in incorporating multiple
healthcare professionals such as dental, pharmacy, optometrists and other voluntary sector
providers or organisations. PCNs would also deliver health services in extended hours, for

3RESEARCH PROPOSAL
supporting every individual in the particular areas of PCNs. NHS long term plan includes
setting up multiple network services with structured medications, anticipatory care and also
promoting along with enhancing health care in homes.
1.2 Problem Statement
Available government and NHS have claimed that the patient care networks (PCNs)
would deliver effective services of health towards the community and the patients. The
network is going to build a comprehensive model that includes multi-disciplinary
professionals such as, general physicians, paramedical staff and other caregivers. However,
there is no much data on the effect of PCNs in multiple geographical areas. The
implementation of practices within the framework of PCNs is needed further analysis.
1.3 Rationale of the study
The importance of the enhancement in delivering effective care has become major
issues because there is an increase in the demand for accessing healthcare services by patients
and communities. Therefore, it is important to increase efficiency in delivering healthcare
services. The healthcare system or hospitals are continuously evolving in delivering high-
quality care to individuals. However, due to multiple elements such as cost, the inability of
making a clinical decision is restricting many individuals in accessing care and services.
PCNs main objectives are to deliver the health services out of the hospital and also delivering
care at home (Boyd, J.F., 2018). The success rates and implications on the patient health
outcomes need to measures and therefore, this research would provide an in-depth analysis of
the patient care network. Therefore, this research is an important element for understanding
the impact of patient care networks.