June 17, 2008 Delivering primary care in Sherwood Park/Strathcona County is all about having a one-stop shop.
“Strathcona County has defined boundaries and the people here do prefer to be cared for in their community,” says Dave Ludwick, Primary Care Network (PCN) general manager.
The PCN is physician-led while still working closely with Capital Health and its services. Participation in a PCN is voluntary for family physicians. Fifty-one physicians in Sherwood Park/Strathcona County are participating in the PCN, which formed in June, 2007. Three months ago the PCN opened its Multidisciplinary Care Clinic at Health First Strathcona, a Capital Health urgent care clinic.
To provide the best patient care possible, the PCN multidisciplinary health care team focuses on chronic complex diseases, like diabetes, as well as geriatrics. For example, the PCN team can educate a newly-diagnosed diabetic patient about proper nutrition and lifestyle changes, as well as medications. Working in collaboration with family physicians, the PCN team includes three registered nurses, a dietitian, a respiratory therapist and a pharmacist.
“The level of involvement with the PCN team is also decided by each physician,” says Ludwick.
“PCN family physicians can use our team as much as they want, or as little as they want,” he says. “But the idea is for family physicians to offer patients the opportunity to experience the richness of a comprehensive care team.”
“Another important benefit of having the PCN is the increased communication between family physicians and the PCN team,” says Ludwick. “We have case conferences with physicians to discuss treatment options for patients. It gives access to this comprehensive care team, close to home.”
In addition to working as a team, the PCN organizes educational and events for physicians on a monthly basis.
It’s this supportive role that Sherwood Park/Strathcona County family physicians are embracing.
“We have been impressed with how the PCN has brought the physicians together to improve the quality of care in the community,” says Dr. Chuck Lortie, a Sherwood Park family physician.
Dr. Jerry Katz agrees.
"It’s an excellent collaborative experience for Sherwood Park family physicians. The camaraderie has been great,” he says.