Theme 4. Building the rural health care team: making the most of available resources
Presentation Materials (Members only)
Learning Objectives
Feeling overwhelmed by your rural residents’ needs for accessible, team-based programs? Is it practical to creatively tap into existing community resources to offer programs in the rural areas with fewer resources? Minto-Mapleton FHT is a multi-sited, rural team that services 15,000 patients in a geographical area of close to 850 square kilometres. Learn about our unique partnerships that have allowed us to do more with less. Explore the possibilities of potential community partners and how to foster productive relationships to meet some of your harder to reach patients. Understand the role/importance of program ownership and champion development for program sustainability.
Summary
In 2011, Canada’s Health Minister quoted: “3 of 5 Canadians, older than 20 years of age, have a chronic disease and 4 out of 5 people are at risk”. In total, chronic diseases cost the Canadian economy at least $190 billion a year. The Minister noted that commitment to collaboration is a cornerstone of Canada’s approach to chronic disease prevention and control. Despite considerable effort, FHTs working in solo, find it impossible to meet the needs of all patients and their health conditions. This presentation will cover the journey our rural FHT has taken to secure sustainable community partnerships and viable programming while maintaining integrity of program objectives. MMFHT reached out to community partners, assessed existing programs and identified gaps that could easily be met by creating strong, symbiotic relationships. From humble beginnings, to the successes of today, and plans for tomorrow, we will share innovative approaches aimed at cost sharing, avoiding duplication, seeking out additional venues, staffing and programming. Partnerships have spread current, evidence-based information, to patients that normally do not access FHT services at our typical venues. Clear, specified navigation guidelines have resulted in the right patients now being seen by the right practitioners at the right time. By including telemedicine, we have expanded our reach while decreasing patient costs of transportation, parking and extended work absences. The power point presentation will include patient and community partnership testimonials. In conclusion, we will discuss the importance of well-defined roles within the partnerships and the need to identify individual responsibilities.
Presenters
- Minto-Mapleton FHT
- Vicky LaForge, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Nurse
- Jenny Harrison, Registered Dietitian
- Sandy Turner, Health Promoter
Authors and Contributors
- Helen Edwards, Seniors’ Centre for Excellence
- Marg Stevens, North Wellington Health Care
- Patient and partnership testimonials