Patients

What primary health care means for patients

A process is currently underway to improve primary health care to better serve the needs of patients. This means ensuring that primary health services are patient-centred and people have timely access to the care they need.

Patients will have:

• Assistance finding a primary care provider or team, who will also support them in navigating the health system.
• Improved access to services and
• Better support for managing their chronic diseases through team based care, increased use of technology, and best practice guidelines.
• Opportunities to participate in the design of services and shared decision making regarding their care.

A patient’s health care team includes, or is connected to, family physicians, and could also include nurse practitioners, pharmacists, dietitians, mental health professionals, social workers, home care workers, midwives, traditional healers and others, depending on the needs of the patient and the community. These Primary Health Care Provider Profiles will help you understand what different team members do.

Putting the patient first :

• providing health services that address the needs, values and preferences of patients and their families;
• delivering health services in a respectful and compassionate manner;
• a two-way communication between health care providers and patients; and
• shared decision making.