Which statement best describes the Dawson Model of Regionalized Care?

• A. It is highly structured with a base in primary care and organization upward as needed.
• B. It uses a free-flowing model with fluid roles across all levels.
• C. It relies on resources without geographic coordination.
• D. It prioritizes tertiary care as the base.

Answer: (A)

The Dawson Model of Regionalized Care is built on a structured, tiered system with primary care as the foundation. Primary care acts as the first contact and gatekeeper, managing most routine needs locally and coordinating referrals upward to more specialized or tertiary services only when necessary. This arrangement ensures resources are planned and allocated regionally, enabling efficient use of specialists and hospitals without overburdening higher levels of care. It contrasts with models that have no clear base, allow fluid roles across levels, or rely on centralized resources without geographic coordination.