Rapid Review: Primary Care Reforms in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories

This Rapid Review was written by Allie Peckham, Gregory Marchildon, Sara Kreindler, John Church and Susan Chatwood and is published via the University of Toronto. A previous rapid review of all 13 provincial/territorial jurisdictions in Canada identified Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and the Northwest Territories as being the most innovative in pursuing primary care reform over the last decade. This Rapid Review explores these jurisdictions in greater depth.

It looked at available public indicators and expert advice to determine how jurisdictions have improved access to after-hours care; worked to offer a broader scope of services through access to interdisciplinary teams; and improved communication and coordination through information technology and electronic medical records accessible to health and social service providers as well as patients and caregivers.

The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare commissioned this review from the North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and Nova Scotia Health Authority. It was used as background information for our Primary Care Reform Policy Roundtable held in 2018.

The Roundtable brought together decision-makers, researchers, clinicians and patients from across the country, with a focus on exploring efforts to improve primary care in their jurisdictions and identifying common themes where CFHI can provide support.