Involvement of health care users in multi-professional primary care practices (MPCP) and associated MPCPs characteristics

Context. The involvement of health care users in primary care, supported by the authorities, contributes to tackle socioeconomic inequalities in health. Multi-professional primary care practices (MPCPs) can facilitate the involvement of health care users in primary care.Objective. The main objective of our study was to quantify and describe initiatives relating to the involvement of users in MPCPs in the Pays de la Loire. The secondary objectives were to identify associated factors and possible obstacles to their involvement as perceived by health professionals.Method. A quantitative study was conducted among the 83 MPCPs existing in the Pays de la Loire between March and October 2019 by application of self-administered questionnaires.Results. Of the 37 structures responding (45% response rate), 10 (27%) involved users currently, occasionally or had a history in the past. The composition of the team, the years of experience of the MPCPs and the participation in a local health contract seemed to influence the work with users (non-significant results). The main obstacles to the involve-ment according to the professionals were grouped in two axes: 1 degrees lack of material and human resources and methodological support to implement user involvement; 2 degrees need for a cultural transformation of traditional practices.Conclusion. This first study highlights the existence of user involvement, which may be favoured by history of teamwork and by involvement in a local health contract. Further research is needed to broaden the study population and to look more closely at the perspectives of users involved in primary care.