Health Services

Health Services

Through leadership in the study and delivery of family practice and primary care, the Department of Family Medicine seeks to improve the health and well-being of the people of Alberta. We endeavor to provide very good access to high quality health care services, resulting in healthy and productive individuals, families, and communities.

The foundation of health care services in the department is the concept of the Primary Care Home. Features of this model include: each patient has an ongoing relationship with his or her family physician and nurse; care is directed by the physician and nurse but may be provided by the care team; the complete medical record resides at the Primary Care Home to facilitate co-ordination of care; health care services are readily accessible; and the quality of care and safety are defined and measurable.

The department is investing in other factors intended to result in improved access to high quality primary care. These include:

· Developing team-based practice

· Adopting Access Improvement Measures (AIM)

· Educating, training and sustaining more family physicians

· Creating the discipline of the Primary Care Nurse

· Maximizing the impact of primary care networks

· Maximizing the utility and effectiveness of information technologies

· Investigating and developing payment mechanisms for health professionals to provide better quality of care

A clear definition of “quality of primary health care” and corresponding metrics will aid the Department in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement in primary health care.

Health Care Services Strategic Objectives

1. Improve access to clinical services

2. Increase patient satisfaction

3. Implement new ways to use EMR to improve patient care

4. Implement practice management program

5. Increase collaboration with internal and external stakeholders in quality health care and service delivery models

6. Increase knowledge processes used by others