Population-Based Resource Allocation (PBRA) is a model for health planning that distributes healthcare resources according to population needs. This modelling of service data is not a component of current resource allocation in Ireland at present but is intended to be a key component of population planning for future health service provision. A scoping exercise by the the project team identified that current primary care referral data is missing key variables (e.g. socioeconomic status) needed for PBRA modelling. This proposal aims to synthesise evidence which will support a) effective strategies to promote equity in primary care utilisation and b) future PBRA for primary care. From the outset a systematic review will be conducted to generate evidence on methods to promote equity in primary care utilisation. A full year (n=38,000 adult referrals) of primary care referral data from a Community Health Network in Dublin between January 2022 and December 2022 will be obtained from the data controller. This data will be mapped using the HP Pobal Index and Central Statistics Office census of population age bands. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models (considering variables such as age, gender and area level deprivation) will be applied to the data to identify referral patterns needed to inform PBRA. This data sample will also be used to identify preliminary design considerations for a future primary care case management system. The outputs from this project will provide; evidence supporting effective methods to promote equity in primary care and a health allocation model for how data can be utilised to inform a needs based approach to service planning at Community Health Network level and eventually at national level.
