Grant: SPOR PIHCI Network: Management & Operations Grant

BC's Primary Health Care Research Network (BC-PHCRN) vision is to strengthen patients' primary care home so that their health services are better coordinated and integrated across different parts of the system (e.g., hospital, home care). The focus of research completed within the network and across other provincial and territorial networks is about improving continuity of care. We plan to improve the continuity of care by: a)Developing systems to measure health and health care outcomes and monitor the performance of the primary health care system and integrated care; b)Generating knowledge through the research; and c) Creating a learning community where innovative ways of improving continuity of care can be shared across patients, researchers, clinicians, and policy makers. The BC-PHCRN is envisioned an "open" and inclusive hub where it will: match primary care community questions to interested researchers; facilitate connections amongst researchers and with the patient/family groups, clinicians and policy and decision-makers; and help to identify opportunities and priorities. This inclusive approach, reflected in the proposed governance structure outlined in this application, is intended to encourage engagement across a broad spectrum of potential participants and users. The proposed governance structure reflects BC's diverse primary health care landscape, including world class researchers, five regional Health Authorities, a Provincial Health Services Authority, the First Nations Health Authority (a first in Canada), professional associations (physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and pharmacists), divisions of family practice, private health professionals, universities, and organized public/patient representatives.