Local family health teams: teams committed to their communities
Vitalité Health Network has made access to primary health care one of its strategic priorities. As part of its efforts to improve access, 17 local family health teams have been set up in six of the Network’s communities.
The collaborative approach, whereby a community of health care professionals fosters the health of a community, is now attracting media attention, but this vision has already been in development within the Network for two years. Inspired by best practices around the world, Vitalité's model is characterized by the addition of a referral centre that uses artificial intelligence to provide advanced triage. It also stands out for its co-building approach with communities.
This week, Vitalité Health Network welcomes Jane Philpott, physician, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen's University in Kingston, former federal cabinet minister, author and renowned columnist. In her writings, she urges governments and their health authorities to adopt a collaborative approach to primary health care, to meet current and future challenges such as demographic growth, an aging population and a shortage of health care workers. In this regard, she applauds the Vitalité vision and model, developed in close collaboration with its teams and communities to better meet specific regional needs.
This support and validation from a national leader in primary health care such as Dr. Philpott is a cause for celebration for the Network. As the expression "no one is a prophet in their own country" suggests, for some, external recognition from a prominent expert lends weight to a promising development initiative.
In addition to Dr. Jane Philpott's support, which is certainly very significant and greatly appreciated, the commitment of the local teams and communities involved in implementing the model is also a source of pride for Vitalité Health Network.
As they build, adopt new ways of working together and experience and manage change, the new local family health teams are achieving tangible results. Already, they are improving access to primary health care for their patients, as well as taking on orphan patients.
From the perspective of leadership, commitment and change management, we have nothing but praise for these transformation efforts by people who have our health care system at heart. They embody the Network's purpose, which is to foster the health of our patients and communities, today and tomorrow. What's more, they inspire confidence in the future. This is an achievement in itself and deserves to be celebrated.
Ghislaine Arsenault
Vice-President of Employee Experience
The “Voice of Our Leaders,” the blog of Vitalité Health Network’s Leadership Team, covers various topics related to transformation of the health system. The team members share their thoughts – transparently and from their own perspectives – on the issues, challenges and priorities within their areas of responsibility and the health system as a whole. Happy reading and happy reflection!
If you would like to share your thoughts or comments on this blog, please contact us at engagement [at] vitalitenb.ca.
