What does PIHC mean in HEALTHCARE

Pasifika Integrated Health Care (PIHC) is an initiative in New Zealand to improve healthcare outcomes for Pasifika people. It aims to create a culturally-responsive healthcare system that meets the needs of Maori, Pacific and migrant communities.

The PIHC model addresses social, economic and cultural barriers to healthcare by providing accessible and coordinated services across multiple health providers. This includes primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as social services like housing and employment assistance.

PIHC involves assessment of patient needs through consultation with medical teams such as GPs or nurses who are skilled at identifying underlying health issues within the context of their cultural backgrounds. Integrated case management then allows all appropriate care services to be coordinated into one holistic plan that meets the individual's unique needs.

Any person who has trouble accessing traditional healthcare due to financial, linguistic or cultural barriers will benefit from the integrated approach provided by PIHC; however it primarily targets at-risk groups such as youth or elderly people living in poverty, refugees or those with long-term health conditions.

Most general public patients have no associated fees with accessing primary health care through a GP registered with NZ PHO (Primary Health Organisation). Specialised health programmes may occasionally incur additional fees which are typically covered by special government funding initiatives for vulnerable members of the community such as refugees or people living in poverty.