October 23, 2008 With a slightly different spin on the traditional doctor's office, primary care networks are the first point of contact for everyday health needs. Comprised of a team that might include family physicians, nurses, dieticians, mental health professionals, pharmacists, therapists, and others, the networks provide basic, core health services. They also access health region programs such as immunization and long term care, and help determine priorities in each community.
Primary care networks build on the existing strengths and resources within their geographic area, while providing the flexibility to respond to the uniqueness of individual communities.
For example, the primary care network in Rocky Mountain House includes a “navigator” to assist patients in co-ordinating appointments with specialists in other parts of the province. According to Lorna Milkovich, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain House network, the navigator assists patients with preparing the forms or documentation that will be required for their appointments.
In the Red Deer network, Executive Director Dorian Frère says patients will benefit from pharmacists co-located in physician offices. The pharmacist can provide consultation on complex patient medication regimens.
All physicians choose whether or not to join their local network and their patients automatically benefit from the expertise and assistance available through that Primary Care Network.
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are a made-in-Alberta approach to improve the delivery of primary care. A Primary Care Network is formed when a group of physicians and Alberta Health Services agree to work together to provide enhanced primary care services. Alberta Health and Wellness, Alberta Medical Association and Alberta Health Services are partners in the development of Primary Care Networks.