There is great potential in primary health care to improve the health of the population and contribute to the sustainability of the health care system. To reach that potential, all partners for a healthy population must work together. To support such collaboration, this provincial charter for primary health care was co-developed with many partners to capture the activity, experimentation and successes of the last five years, and to set strategic direction to move forward.
A modern health system is one that supports British Columbians across their life span 1 to:
- stay healthy - achieve and maintain optimal health and wellness;
- get better - improve health after an acute event, or move to a better plateau in a chronic condition;
- live with disease - minimize deterioration of health and successfully manage a long-term condition; and
- cope with end of life - relieve suffering and improve quality of life, and maintain health and wellness of family/caregivers.
The Primary Health Care Charter (the Charter) reflects the growing prevalence and impact of chronic disease, and places strong emphasis on populations living with chronic disease and those at risk. The Ministry of Health’s Service Plan, the Medical Services Division’s Strategic Plan, health authority plans and the B.C. government/British Columbia Medical Association negotiated agreement have all underscored the need to shift the system from an acute/ episodic orientation towards planned/proactive care.
This document sets the strategic provincial direction, based on an analysis of B.C. data, the experience of health authorities, physicians and other health professionals and an analysis of international literature and evidence. B.C. has also hosted exchanges with the U.K., U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Denmark and Ireland to understand best practices in primary health care in those countries.
Contents
Introduction
Our Aim: A Strong, Effective, Accessible and Sustainable Primary Health Care System
Our Intended Outcomes
Background and Challenges
System Transformation
- 5.1 Context
5.2 Methodology
Key Initiatives: Target Areas for System Change
- 6.1 Access to Primary Health Care
6.2 Access to Primary Maternity Care
6.3 Chronic Disease Prevention
6.4 Chronic Disease Management
6.5 Management of Co-Morbidities
6.6 Frail Elderly
6.7 End-of-life Care
Collaboration and Participation: Making It All Work Together
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PDF Ebook Primary Health Care Charter: A Collaborative Approach
