What is primary care?

Primary health care refers to the patient's first point of contact with a doctor or a health care team. Primary health care includes but is not limited to : disease management and prevention, disease cure, rehabilitation, palliative care and health promotion.

That sounds like a lot. The health care system is overloaded, how is my doctor going to have time to do all these things for me?

True primary care covers a lot and is important. Studies show that countries that have strong primary care systems have healthier populations and are able to use their precious health care resources more efficiently. Doctors in Ontario have been doing a great job for their patients over the years in all of the areas of primary care. Now, Family Health Teams will build on this foundation by bringing professionals together to organize care in new ways and to complement each others skills.

What is a Family Health Team (FHT)?

A Family Health Team is an approach to primary health care that brings together different health care providers to co-ordinate the highest possible quality of care for you - the patient.

Designed to give doctors support from other complementary professionals, most Family Health Teams will consist of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals who work collaboratively, each utilizing their experience and skills so that you receive the very best care, when you need it, as close to home as possible.

You just mentioned different kinds of health care providers in a Family Health Team, who will I be dealing with?

Diverse populations in Ontario mean that there are different needs for different communities. As a result the composition of a Family Health Team will be different from place to place. However, Family Health Teams will have core health care professionals across the province, including doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses.

What will Family Health Teams mean to me?

Let's break this down a little bit more.

Family Health Teams are patient centred and you will have access to a number of primary health care services from a variety of team members, including your family doctor.

For example :

• Your family doctor will continue to see you during regular office hours.
• You will have access to other other health care professionals within that Family Health Team, such as nurse practitioners, nurses, dieticians and pharmacists.
• You will have access to a Family Health Team doctor during extended evening and weekend hours for urgent problems.
• If you see another doctor in you Family Health Team for treatment, your own doctor will receive documentation about the nature of your problem so that he or she will always be up-to date about your medical condition.
• If you need assistance after-hours, you will be able to telephone the Family Health Team Telephone Health Advisory Service where a registered nurse will provide advice about your urgent health care concerns.
• With your permission, your doctor will receive a written summary of your call the next day, so that your doctor is informed of the nature of the problem and the advice you received.
• Family Health Teams will be able to take advantage of specially funded information technology to organize your health information and share it securely with other health professionals.

Family Health Teams will be organized to offer you timely access to high quality primary care. Research shows that this access results in you being healthier, longer.

Will I still get to see my doctor if he or she joins a Family Health Team?

Yes. Family Health Teams are a group approach to health care where your doctor will be able to focus on your complex medical problems but you'll have access to different health care professionals according to your needs.

Do I have to participate?

Your enrollment in a Family Health Team is voluntary.

When are Family Health Teams starting?

The first Family Health Teams were announced recently. For details on where they will be located and planned start-up dates, please go to Progress on Family Health Teams.

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