The Value We Provide

Our PCN's purpose is to work together with our family physicians to build a healthier community.  To that end there are four key program areas in our business plan that we are implementing. The first two are patient focused (and with involve the most staff) and the last two focus more on how we effectively support our member physicians.

1. Direct Patient Care

The cornerstone of our business plan is a centralized clinic that houses a truly collaborative team. When a physician feels we can complement the care they are providing, the patient is referred to the PCN and sees the appropriate members of our medical and/or mental health team depending on the support required.  We complete a comprehensive assessment, develop a care plan, provide relevant education, and continue to monitor and follow-up where needed.

For some, this may mean seeing only a nurse and dietitian, whereas for another individual, they may need to see a mental health practitioner, pharmacist and nurse. 

Currently we have specific programs in place for patients with diabetes, weight management challenges and mental health issues. 

Our fabulous clinicians on staff include registered nurses, psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and dietitians and they truly collaborate and work together to provide the best care for the patient.

2. Links to Specialists

Effective and timely referrals to specialists is an enormous problem for both the family physician, the specialist, their respective staff and the patient.

Edmonton North is working to find ways to streamline and improve this process as well as using the interests and specialties of our individual member physicians for the benefit of the entire group.

We have a list of all specialists, actually book the referral and inform the patient for physicians who want to take advantage of this, are looking at bringing in specialists on a regular basis to do consults, and providing education to our member physicians.

3. Supporting Specialty Interests

There are certain areas of family practice that are considerably more time consuming (specifically we consider these to be obstetrics, palliative care, extended care, minor surgery, psychological counseling) that many family practitioners are opting out of doing and as a consequence there is a shortage of physicians who provides these services.

Therefore our PCN has created a program that specifically targets these areas, along with program innovation, where member physicians can apply for financial support for resources, equipment and/or education to improve and/or increase the delivery of these services.  Applications are evaluted and awards made by a peer review committee. 

 

4. Long Term Sustainability & Physician Education

It is essential that family physicians be provided with useful educational opportunities.

One of the key programs that is supported by our PCN is Alberta AIM (Access, Improvement and Measures) program.  This teaches an entire clinic how to eliminate wait times - both for patients to make an appointment and to see the physician once they arrive at the clinic. 

We currently have five of our clinics participating in this 14 month program (which involves 21% of our physicians) and already these clinics are experiencing higher patient, physician and staff satisfaction.