Collaboration is the changing face of health care
In the interest of quality health care, would not it be great to access professional as physicians, nurse practitioners, dietitians and pharmacists all from one place? In recent years, the primary health system in Ontario has been shifting to allowing only that, with the creation of Family Health Teams (ESF).
The aim of the ESF, said the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, is to gather different health professionals, beyond your family doctor, to provide coordinated care. Ontario has 150 TCF, which provide a convenient care and accessible to more than two million patients. (ServiceOntario, 1-888-779-7767, can provide information on the nearest TCF.)
One key to this approach group is smooth collaboration among health professionals, says Anne Coghlan, president of the Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario (FHRCO).
"We have a responsibility to support the capacity of health professionals to work productively with others and share information, all for the best end customer care possible, "says Coghlan.
FHRCO is the organ that is composed of 25 health regulatory colleges in Ontario, which together govern more than 260,000 health professionals and hold them accountable for their conduct and practice (see www.regulatedhealthprofessions.on.ca .) Coghlan notes that a 2009 amendment to the Regulated Health Professions Act specifically cites the need "to improve collaboration between professionals. "
"It is increasingly important as health care providers are working more in concert, TCF and in general," he says. " For example, our schools will ensure that our policies are consistent in similar areas. This will prevent conflicts in the provision of services or between jobs, and care provided in the most safe and effective. "
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care TCF says are intended to give people access to health care in the community almost all day. That should help ease dependence on emergency services for nonemergency care.
In addition to providing direct services to health care, the TCF will focus on chronic disease management, disease prevention and Promotion Health in conjunction with other health care organizations based in the community, such as public health units.
"It used to be that people often based on a health care provider for most of their attention, "said Coghlan." As this is changing, the various health professions – And regulators behind them – are working together to deliver care more seamless. "
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