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What is a PCN ?A PCN is a Primary Care Network, a group of family doctors working with Alberta Health Services and other health professionals to coordinate the delivery of primary health services for their patients. Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are a made-in-Alberta approach to improving access to and better coordinating care for patients across the province.In a PCN, a group of family doctors and Alberta Health Services coordinate health services for patients. A PCN is not necessarily a bricks and mortar building – it is a network of doctors and other health providers such as nurses, dietitians and pharmacists working together to provide primary health care to patients. For example, depending on the need, a network might decide to strengthen the communication between the physicians and home care nurses by working together in a new way. Or, another network may set up a palliative care program with a team of family doctors and health care professionals to look after palliative patients. Each network determines how to best meet the needs of patients in the area while working within the provincial PCI (Primary Care Initiative) framework. In networks, other health care professionals work closely with family doctors to enhance primary health services for patients. The flexibility in Alberta’s approach to PCN’s allows each PCN to develop local solutions to local health issues. This makes each PCN unique and encourages the PCN team to focus on the needs of the local patient population. There are 40 PCN’s operating throughout Alberta with more in development. More than 2500 family physicians in Alberta are working in PCN’s. Primary Care.Primary care is the first point of contact a person has with the health system – the point where people receive care for most of their everyday health needs. Primary care is typically provided by family physicians, and by nurses, dietitians, mental health professionals, pharmacists, therapists, and others.Primary care includes the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of various health conditions. It also includes referrals to specialists and diagnostic services such as laboratory tests or X-rays. Family physicians are often the first place patients seek appointments for their primary care needs. History of PCN’s in AlbertaIn 2003, Alberta Health and Wellness, the Alberta Medical Association and Alberta's Regional Health Authorities (now Alberta Health Services) established the Primary Care Initiative (PCI) to improve access to family physicians and other frontline health care providers in Alberta. The purpose of the PCI is to develop Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and support them in meeting the objectives of the program. |
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