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Advancing team-based primary health care: a comparative analysis of policies in western Canada.
- Source :
- BMC Health Services Research; 7/17/2017, Vol. 17, p1-9, 9p, 2 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>We analyzed and compared primary health care (PHC) policies in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan to understand how they inform the design and implementation of team-based primary health care service delivery. The goal was to develop policy imperatives that can advance team-based PHC in Canada.<bold>Methods: </bold>We conducted comparative case studies (n = 3). The policy analysis included: Context review: We reviewed relevant information (2007 to 2014) from databases and websites. Policy review and comparative analysis: We compared and contrasted publically available PHC policies. Key informant interviews: Key informants (n = 30) validated narratives prepared from the comparative analysis by offering contextual information on potential policy imperatives. Advisory group and roundtable: An expert advisory group guided this work and a key stakeholder roundtable event guided prioritization of policy imperatives.<bold>Results: </bold>The concept of team-based PHC varies widely across and within the three provinces. We noted policy gaps related to team configuration, leadership, scope of practice, role clarity and financing of team-based care; few policies speak explicitly to monitoring and evaluation of team-based PHC. We prioritized four policy imperatives: (1) alignment of goals and policies at different system levels; (2) investment of resources for system change; (3) compensation models for all members of the team; and (4) accountability through collaborative practice metrics.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Policies supporting team-based PHC have been slow to emerge, lacking a systematic and coordinated approach. Greater alignment with specific consideration of financing, reimbursement, implementation mechanisms and performance monitoring could accelerate systemic transformation by removing some well-known barriers to team-based care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14726963
- Volume :
- 17
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- BMC Health Services Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 124197595
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2439-1