Grant: SPOR Network in Primary and Integrated Hlth Care Innovations - Nfld & Labrador

We are a team of researchers, clinicians, and policy makers who are proposing to form a network that will work together to transform the healthcare system of NL. Evidence from around the world suggests that health systems with a strong foundation in primary care (e.g., care from a family doctor or nurse practitioner) are the most effective and efficient. In NL we face a number of challenges in delivering primary care. Many other countries and parts of Canada have taken steps to reform their primary care systems to maximize effectiveness. NL has made little progress in this regard. The network we are proposing will bring together a large team of clinicians, researchers, and policy makers from across the healthcare sectors with patients/citizens/families who will work together as partners in healthcare transformation. Potential impacts from this work include i) improved primary care delivery with decreased dependence on international medical graduates and more appropriate care delivered by the most appropriate care provider; ii) improved communications and integration of the healthcare sectors; iii) more efficient care of high needs users and better chronic disease management; iv) improved child care and smoother transitions between child and adult care; v) greater incorporation of patients' needs and perspectives in the design and implementation of our health care system. To achieve our goals we have begun to assemble a team of investigators that includes those with experience and productivity in cross-jurisdictional and integrated health care research and program implementation. The combined efforts, skill sets, knowledge, experience of this group together with the leadership capabilities of our tripartite leaders will form a network capable of creating sustainable transformations to our health system.