This article describes the Canadian experience related to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the primary care relationship between community-based physicians and nurses whereby collaboration is the underlying operational basis for their partnerships. Twenty-three family physicians were paired with 21 home health care nurses (RNs) who were responsible for the care and case management of communitydwelling seniors. The evolution of the collaborative partnership is revealed through a quality improvement framework addressing several objectives over a period of 2 years. Essential components of collaboration are identified and the impacts of collaborative practice on health care professionals and consumers are explored.

No abstract

No abstract

In response to caseloads that are increasing in numbers and acuity, Alberta Health Services developed the Caseload Intensity Tool (CIT). The development and testing process led to a valid and reliable tool that connects client clinical condition to clinician response. The CIT allows clinicians to discriminate between levels of client intensity quickly and accurately. The scores for each client are summarized first into a client intensity scale and then a caseload intensity scale. The CIT can facilitate caseload management including matching client needs to resources and improving staff resource management, for example, equitable caseloads. There is potential for the tool to validate the relatively invisible work of case managers making it understandable, measurable, and defensible during times of rising costs and budget restraint.

No abstract