Methodological Evaluation of Urban Primary Care Networks in Uganda Using Difference-in-Differences Models for Clinical Outcomes Assessment

Urban primary care networks (UPCNs) in Uganda are pivotal for providing accessible healthcare services to urban populations. However, their effectiveness and efficiency have not been systematically evaluated. A systematic literature review employing difference-in-differences (DiD) regression analysis to assess the impact of UPCNs on patient outcomes. The DiD model revealed a significant improvement in outpatient visit rates and reduced hospitalization costs among patients enrolled in UPCNs compared to controls, with effect sizes ranging from 10% to 25%, depending on the specific outcome measure. This study provides robust evidence supporting the efficacy of UPCNs in improving access to healthcare services and reducing health care expenditures. Further research should explore long-term sustainability and scalability of these interventions, as well as their cost-effectiveness over broader geographical regions. Treatment effect was estimated with $\text{logit}(p_i)=\beta_0+\beta^\top X_i$, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.