Turning Vision into Reality: Successful Integration of Primary Healthcare in Taber, Canada

Abstract

Primary healthcare offers significant benefits to Canadians and to the healthcare system as a whole. The Taber Integrated Primary Healthcare Project (TIPHP) was a three-year primary healthcare renewal initiative involving rural physicians and the Chinook Health Region in Taber, Alberta, Canada. The goal of the project was to improve healthcare services delivery through integration of the services provided by the physician group and the health region in one rural community. Four main enablers emerged as fundamental to the integration process: community assessment and shared planning; evidence-based, interdisciplinary care; an integrated electronic information system; and investment in processes and structures that support change.The outcome of the project has been the implementation of a new model of healthcare delivery that embraces an integrated collaborative team approach in delivering population-based, primary healthcare. Importantly, the TIPHP has influenced regional healthcare policy related to primary healthcare renewal strategies and partnerships.

A scoping literature review of collaboration between primary care and public health

“…Community activities included community engagement and participation Alexy and Elnitsky, 1996;Billingham and Perkins, 1997; Table 2 Articles included in scoping review listed by first author Alexy and Elnitsky (1996) Elster et al, 2002;Harrison et al, 2006;PHRED, 2006;Wedel et al, 2007;McElmurry et al, 2009), improving quality of care (Ferguson et al, 1992;Alexy and Elnitsky, 1996;Lundeen et al, 1997;Harris et al, 2003;Heller and Goldwater, 2004), containing costs Voelker, 1994; The Committee on Medicine and Public Health, 1997; Welton et al, 1997;Hripcsak et al, 1999;Williams et al, 1999), enhancing evidence-informed practice Jordan et al, 1998;Hopayian et al, 2005;Larson et al, 2006) and improving emergency planning and response (Hogg et al, 2006b;Harris et al, 2007;Mack et al, 2007;Pierce et al, 2007;Taylor et al, 2007). Collaboration was, however, also negatively impacted by the rapid and constant change created by healthcare reform Hopayian et al, 2005).…”

“…Other outcomes were improved efficiencies through timelier case reporting and less duplication of care (Malcolm and Barnett, 1995;Hripcsak et al, 1999;Headland et al, 2000;Cook et al, 2001;Margolis et al, 2001;Dion, 2004), enhanced individual patient and community satisfaction Leeds et al, 2000;Kearney et al, 2005;Lea et al, 2005;Wedel et al, 2007) and improved continuity and coordination of care (Shandro, 2003;PHRED, 2006;Shirin and Absher, 2006). Care delivery processes were strengthened by an increased focus on health promotion and illness prevention (Lasker and The Committee on Medicine and Public Health, 1997;Banks-Smith et al, 2001;Lemelin et al, 2001;Iliffe and Lenihan, 2003;Riley et al, 2003;Morgan and Kelly, 2004;Kearney et al, 2005) and population health needs Dion, 2004;Morgan and Kelly, 2004), use of needs assessments in PC Lasker and The Committee on Medicine and Public Health, 1997;Jordan et al, 1998;Banks-Smith et al, 2001;Cook et al, 2001;Hurst et al, 2002) and support for quality improvement Lasker and The Committee on Medicine and Public Health, 1997;Harrison and Keen, 2002;Hurst et al, 2002;Desai et al, 2003).…”

A best practice health governance framework for integrated care: an exploratory study

“…Comparisons of how each element worked differently across settings was not included in this review. 18 (Connor & Kissen, 2010;Cumming, 2011;Ham, 2010;Harris et al, 2012;Hutchison et al, 2011;Jackson et al, 2008b;Jackson & Marley, 2007;Jackson et al, 2008a;Jackson et al, 2010;Ovretveit et al, 2010;Paulus et al, 2008;Peskett, 2009;Powell Davies et al, 2008;Smyth, 2009;Suter et al, 2009;Wedel et al, 2007) 2. Integrated 16 Connor & Kissen, 2010;Ham, 2010;Harris et al, 2012;Jackson et al, 2008b;Jackson & Marley, 2007;Jackson et al, 2008a;Jackson et al, 2010;Ovretveit et al, 2010;Peskett, 2009;Smyth, 2009;Suter et al, 2009;Wedel et al, 2007) 5.…”

“…13 Connor & Kissen, 2010;Cumming, 2001;Ham, 2010;Harris et al, 2012;Jackson & Marley, 2007;Jackson et al, 2008a;Jackson et al, 2010;Ovretveit et al, 2010;Rittenhouse et al, 2009;Suter et al, 2009;Wedel et al, 2007) 7. Measurementusing data as quality improvement tool Shared population clinical data to use for planning, measurement of utilisation focusing on quality improvement and redesign; collaborative approach to measuring performance provides 12 Ham, 2010;Jackson et al, 2008b;Jackson & Marley, 2007;Jackson et al, 2010;Ovretveit et al, 2010;Paulus et al, 2008;Peskett, 2009;Rittenhouse et al, 2009;Smyth, 2009;Suter et al, 2009) 11 Connor & Kissen, 2010;Ham, 2010;Jackson et al, 2008b;Jackson & Marley, 2007;Jackson et al, 2010;Peskett, 2009;Powell Davies et al, 2008;Suter et al, 2009;Wedel et al, 2007) 8 (Connor & Kissen, 2010;Ham, 2010;Jackson et al, 2010;Ovretveit et al, 2010;Paulus et al, 2008;Peskett, 2009;Suter et al, 2009;Wedel et al, 2007) 10. Innovation Resources are available and innovative models of care are supported.…”

“…7 (Ham, 2010;Jackson et al, 2008b;Jackson & Marley, 2007;Jackson et al, 2010;Paulus et al, 2008;Peskett, 2009;Wedel et al, 2007) * Number of studies reporting the specified element…”