Grant: Team Grant: Community-Based Primary Healthcare - LOI

Canada and Australia are two of many countries trying to improve their systems for delivering primary healthcare (PHC). Experts in both countries have devoted much time and effort into schemes to improve the quality of care delivered by PHC providers. However many consumers are still unable to access quality care. Access to quality PHC is less than ideal for citizens of both countries - especially for the sick elderly, the poor, or those who are otherwise disadvantaged. Poor PHC access leads to overloaded emergency departments, avoidable hospitalisations and, in the long run, to increased costs and poor health outcomes. Our 5 year program will give governments, health services and consumers in both countries a rich understanding of what really matters in access to needed PHC health care. Decision makers and communities will have a toolkit and a well-tested plan through which to address local access needs. Most importantly, all will have an opportunity to reduce the access gap for vulnerable populations. Both Canada and Australia have introduced numerous programs to improve access to PHC. However many of these programs have been either limited in their scope or restricted to pilot studies. Some initiatives may have actually (unintentionally) increased the gap between vulnerable populations and the rest of the community. Our team comprises experienced researchers, clinicians and decision makers who have come together to help solve some of these critical problems. We will work with consumers and providers in six communities in Australia and Canada to identify, refine and trial the world's best practice innovations to assist access, particularly for vulnerable populations. We will build on our team's existing links with community leaders, decision makers and health professionals in each region to develop innovations that enhance the local system, are tailored to local needs and are likely to make a real difference to vulnerable groups in each setting.