Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41982511›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in health services2026

The development of the primary care general practitioner cluster model: experiences from Hungary.

Ferenc Maráczi, Attila Virág, Gergő Túri, Péter Pikó, Csilla Kaposvári, Rita Teller, Csaba László Dózsa, István Vingender

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in health services, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Ferenc MarácziDoctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Attila VirágFaculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary.
Gergő TúriEpidemiology and Surveillance Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Péter PikóEpidemiology and Surveillance Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Csilla KaposváriSynthesis Health Research Foundation, Budapest, Hungary.
Rita TellerFaculty of Humanities, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
Csaba László DózsaInstitute of Theoretical Health Sciences, University of Miskolc, Miskolc, Hungary.
István VingenderDoctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: In 2021, Hungary introduced general practitioner (GP) clusters to improve access to local healthcare and strengthen cooperation among primary care providers. However, there is limited evidence on how these clusters operate. Objective: The aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive description of how GP practices and clusters function, and to describe variables associated with a GP's participation in a cluster. Methods: We analysed national data on general practices and GP clusters in Hungary for the period 2021-2024. This data was obtained from the National Hospital Directorate and supplemented with information from publicly available sources. After harmonising and integrating the data, we used descriptive statistical methods to characterise the operation of practices and clusters. We also used multivariate regression models to examine factors associated with GPs' decisions to join a cluster. Results: Between 2021 and 2024, the number of GP clusters increased from 365 to 422. Nearly half of all practices had joined by 2024. On average, clusters included seven practices, with one-third collaborating with dentists. Significant regional disparities were observed in cluster participation, while the adoption of digital health technologies and point-of-care tests remained limited. While GP clusters have expanded nationwide, participation appears higher in better-resourced districts. Conclusion: As in many other developed countries, GP clusters have become increasingly widespread in Hungary. One-third of these clusters involve collaboration between GPs and dentists. While these clusters provide a variety of professional services, challenges persist due to vacant practices and regional disparities. To ensure sustainability, future efforts should strengthen digital health integration and promote the widespread adoption of innovative services provided by GP clusters.

Indexed as

clusterdentalgeneral practicegroup practiceHungarymodelnetworkprimary care

Identifiers

PMID41982511
PMCPMC13070958

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.