Corporatisation of primary care: the need for critical analysis

The Lancet Primary Care 2026 Open access

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Authors: Lisa Jansen, Michael Anderson, Lilian H. D. van Tuyl, Maximilian Schwarz, Jan De Maeseneer
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanprc.2026.100111
Cited by: 0
References: 7

Abstract

Across primary care, corporate actors are gaining influence,1,2 which reflects a broad corporatisation of health care: “the general trend throughout the healthcare industry towards higher levels of integrated control by consolidated profit-seeking enterprises”.2 This shift risks reshaping primary care from a relationship-oriented and community-oriented approach to a market-oriented and profit-oriented enterprise. Considering the publicly funded nature of primary care services in most countries, this development is particularly concerning and warrants both a critical analysis and an ethical and societal debate.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Health Services Management and Policy Healthcare Policy and Management Healthcare Systems and Reforms

Publication details

Journal / source
The Lancet Primary Care
Volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
100111–100111
Publication date
1 February 2026
Language
EN