Want to reform health care? Get primary care right

CALGARY, Sept. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - As the Alberta government juggles countless options for reforming its cash-strapped health-care system, a report published today by The School of Public Policy offers direction on where focus and resources should fall.

The report's authors (Shannon Spenceley, Cheryl Andres, Janet Lapins, Robert Wedel, Tobias Gelber and Lisa Halma) argue the need for whole-system reform that involves more than just shifting primary care to new Family Care Clinics.

"We envision an entire health-care system in Alberta transformed around supporting high-quality, accessible, efficient and evidence-informed primary care as the hub of the system," the authors write.

This vision involves numerous changes and accountabilities involving all groups involved in the health system. Government, patients, health-system designers and primary care teams must all play a part in meeting objectives.

Some of the more noteworthy goals that the authors present as part of their vision include:

• Working to ensure all Albertans have access to 24/7 primary and remove barriers to e-communication with patients
• Requiring formal rostering of all Albertans with one primary care team and monitor rostering provincially to minimize patients on multiple rosters
• Improving technological capabilities to ensure better sharing of patient and population data across the health system
• Payment redesign, including the introduction of expectations and incentives related to quality of service
• Introduction of performance measurement mechanisms to help guide financial incentives
• Emphasis on team-based care and greater collaboration amongst primary care providers to ensure rostered patients have access to a full-spectrum of health services

The report can be found at http://www.policyschool.ucalgary.ca/?q=content/accountability-design-moving-primary-care-reform-ahead-alberta

SOURCE: The School of Public Policy - University of Calgary

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