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Table 3 Headache services organized on three levels (from [29], updated from [28])

From: Structured headache services as the solution to the ill-health burden of headache: 1. Rationale and description

Level 1. General primary care

• front-line headache services (accessible first contact for most people with headache)

• ambulatory care delivered in the community by primary health-care providers (physicians, clinical officers, nurses and/or community health workers)

• referring when necessary, and (according to setting) acting as gatekeeper, to:

Level 2. Special-interest headache care

• ambulatory care delivered by physicians, clinical officers or nurses with a special interest and additional training in headache, in primary or secondary care

• referring when necessary to:

Level 3. Headache specialist centres

• advanced multidisciplinary care delivered by headache specialists in hospital-based centres