Table 2. Definitions of the core functions as measured by PCAT-SSA

Core function	Definition
First contact access	How easy is it for users to access primary care as the first place that they go when looking for assistance with a health issue.
Continuity	Informational continuity focuses on whether an up-to-date medical record is available when they attend primary care; relational continuity focuses on whether they develop a relationship of trust with and are known by their primary care provider.
Coordination	Parallel coordination focuses on coordination between teams within the PHC level of care; sequential coordination focuses on coordination between teams in different levels of care.
Comprehensiveness	Focuses on whether primary care covers the lifespan, the burden of disease, and includes health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, palliation, and rehabilitation.
Person-centredness	Focuses on whether care incorporates both the biomedical and users’ perspectives on the illness, and whether care focuses on the person and not just the disease.

PCAT-SSA = sub-Saharan version of the Primary Care Assessment Tool. PHC = primary health care.