Primary healthcare is a term used to describe a range of healthcare providers who work in the community. Any healthcare professional who is the first point of contact for the health system can be a primary healthcare provider. Primary healthcare is provided in a community setting, such as a general practice or dental clinic. Primary healthcare providers may work in medical clinics, community health centres and allied health practices, such as physiotherapy and podiatry practices.

PHC stands for primary health care—the most basic package of essential health services and products needed to prevent disease, promote health, and manage illness. Primary health care typically covers about 80 percent of a person’s health needs during their lifetime.

Primary care and primary health care are not the same thing—but they are related. Primary care is one aspect of PHC—managing illness—and occurs when a trained provider diagnoses or treats a patient. Primary care can take place anywhere but is usually offered in a clinic or hospital. Primary health care extends far beyond just managing illness to include disease prevention.