Exploring Policy Solutions to Address the Primary Care Access Crisis in Alberta
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2023-05-29
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Abstract
The primary-care access crisis in Alberta (AB) has reached a critical level, leading to a lack of essential healthcare services, and placing a significant burden on the healthcare system. Immediate action and effective solutions are needed to ensure equal access to healthcare and address the shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs). The study provides a comprehensive analysis of AB and Ontario's existing policies and initiatives aiming to increase the number of PCPs, improve working conditions and support teamwork to retain the PCPs and avoid burnout. It proposes evidence-based policy recommendations addressing AB's needs. Key areas of focus include lessons learnt from ON's compensation reforms, team-based approach educating new primary PCPs, and credentialing. The study recommends the creation of a dedicated policy monitoring and evaluation team tasked with tracking implementation, collecting data, assessing impacts, and ensuring continuous improvement of policies. This approach, underpinned by support for healthcare providers, will help address the crisis in access to primary care and build a sustainable healthcare system in AB.
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Ngezi, W. (2023). Exploring Policy Solutions to Address the Primary Care Access Crisis in Alberta (Unpublished master's project). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.