30th PCN in Alberta
Dr. Steve Shigeishi has heard many success stories from his colleagues around Alberta about how Primary Care Networks are changing the face of health care in the province. That’s why he is so excited about the launch of the Bow Valley PCN, which he says will bring new opportunities for patients in the Banff and Canmore areas to improve their overall health.
"By teaming doctors up with a variety of health professionals we can offer patients more complete care and hopefully see some of the successes that others around Alberta have seen," says Dr. Shigeishi, physician co-lead of the Bow Valley venture. "PCNs are about finding local solutions to local health challenges so this gives us a unique opportunity to improve access to and better coordinate health services for our patients."
The Bow Valley PCN marks the 30th PCN to be established in Alberta. The first PCNs were created in 2005 and since then the number has grown steadily and continues to grow every year with seven more currently in development. PCNs exist in many regions of the province, mostly grouped by geography, with the larger cities of Calgary and Edmonton having several PCNs established in various quadrants of the cities.
"Today more than two million Albertans receive their first level of health services from a health care professional who is part of a PCN – that is a significant achievement for us," says Lee Hall, Program Director for the Primary Care Initiative, the provincial group that supports the development and creation of PCNs in the province.
Today about 60 per cent of family doctors or general practitioners in Alberta are working within a PCN. In addition, hundreds of other health professionals – dietitians, registered nurses, psychologists, exercise specialists, pharmacists and many others – have also signed onto the PCN movement and become part of the team.
As part of their work PCN teams provide support for those areas traditionally seen by family physicians including: basic ambulatory care and follow-up, care of complex problems, family planning and pregnancy counseling, care of complex health issues, seniors’ health, children’s health and palliative care. In addition each PCN also sets priority areas to focus on based on their local needs. They can be enhanced levels of care and services to better manage and prevent chronic diseases, maternity care, health promotion, and mental health.
For the Bow Valley PCN team that means extra focus on these three key areas:
Dr. Shigeishi says the team identified the three priorities based on the needs of the population. He also notes that while residents in his region are generally thought of as being healthier than some other areas of the province they do have some unique challenges such as a population that doubles in the tourist season with tourists and seasonal workers and increasing numbers of residents from Calgary and Cochrane coming to Bow Valley for health services due to shorter wait times.
"The PCN gives us a great opportunity to work with others in the region to help address some of these unique challenges and to ensure that we are maximizing resources and efforts," he says.
Hall commends the Bow Valley PCN for recognizing early on that partnerships are critical to the success of PCNs. "It’s all about the partnerships – partnerships between patients and the PCN team, partnerships between different doctors clinics, partnerships between health professionals and the community, that make this all work and will keep it strong for years to come," she adds.
PCNs are a partnership between Alberta Health and Wellness, the Alberta Medical Association and Alberta’s Regional Health Authorities (now Alberta Health Services).