Video showcases success of groundbreaking partnership to improve patient care in Calgary area
"In the Calgary Zone, our vision is 'better together'" said Dr. Ernst Greyvenstein
CALGARY – The success of a groundbreaking partnership between family doctors, specialists and other health professionals is highlighted in a video released by the Calgary area’s Primary Care Networks and Alberta Health Services.
The video showcases some of the innovative work underway in the Calgary area, also known as the Calgary Zone, to ensure all Albertans have access to a medical home or home base for their everyday health needs. It also explains how projects like Alberta Find a Doctor and Specialist LINK are improving patient care, reducing wait lists and improving access to services.
The video showcases some of the innovative work underway in the Calgary area, also known as the Calgary Zone, to ensure all Albertans have access to a medical home or home base for their everyday health needs. It also explains how projects like Alberta Find a Doctor and Specialist LINK are improving patient care, reducing wait lists and improving access to services.
Calgary’s health service providers, led by local family doctors, have a long history of working together collaboratively for the benefit of patients. The first Primary Care Networks (PCNs) – groups of doctors and health professionals working together to serve the needs of their communities – were formed in 2005.
In 2017, the spirit of collaboration and partnership between the Calgary area’s seven PCNs, Alberta Health Services and other partners was formalized with the creation of five zones province-wide, including the Calgary Zone. The Calgary Zone includes more than 1,700 family doctors and 400 health professionals who serve about 1.4 million patients. The Calgary Zone PCN Committee was formed to help integrate and align health services at the community level while supporting consistent care for patients.
“In the Calgary Zone our vision is ‘better together,’” said Calgary PCN Physician Lead Dr. Ernst Greyvenstein, who serves as Co-Chair of the Calgary Zone PCN Committee.
The video, which features Dr. Greyvenstein and other members of the PCN Committee, as well as patients and PCN staff, explores some of the work being done in the Calgary Zone to provide team-based care and build medical homes. It also looks at how PCNs are tackling the opioids crisis and the need for stronger mental health support.
“We know that the health of populations is improved through strong primary care. We know that strong primary care happens through medical homes that are equipped to deal with patients and their health challenges, and through health promotion over time,” said Dr. Rick Ward, Primary Care Medical Lead for Alberta Health Services in the Calgary Zone. “The efforts we are making in improving the patient-centered medical home will pay huge dividends down the road in health outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost reduction to the system.”
In 2017, the spirit of collaboration and partnership between the Calgary area’s seven PCNs, Alberta Health Services and other partners was formalized with the creation of five zones province-wide, including the Calgary Zone. The Calgary Zone includes more than 1,700 family doctors and 400 health professionals who serve about 1.4 million patients. The Calgary Zone PCN Committee was formed to help integrate and align health services at the community level while supporting consistent care for patients.
“In the Calgary Zone our vision is ‘better together,’” said Calgary PCN Physician Lead Dr. Ernst Greyvenstein, who serves as Co-Chair of the Calgary Zone PCN Committee.
The video, which features Dr. Greyvenstein and other members of the PCN Committee, as well as patients and PCN staff, explores some of the work being done in the Calgary Zone to provide team-based care and build medical homes. It also looks at how PCNs are tackling the opioids crisis and the need for stronger mental health support.
“We know that the health of populations is improved through strong primary care. We know that strong primary care happens through medical homes that are equipped to deal with patients and their health challenges, and through health promotion over time,” said Dr. Rick Ward, Primary Care Medical Lead for Alberta Health Services in the Calgary Zone. “The efforts we are making in improving the patient-centered medical home will pay huge dividends down the road in health outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost reduction to the system.”
"The efforts we are making in improving the patient-centered medical home will pay huge dividends down the road in health outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost reduction to the system" - Dr. Rick Ward