Bruce Hobson in his Powell River office.
“Physicians’ time is valuable. Rather than providing them with more information, it’s important that we figure out how best to deliver, embed and integrate information to educate them in a way that supports what they are doing.” Dr Bruce Hobson, Powell River Collaborative Services Committee Representative.
Physicians in Powell River are collaborating on an Integrated Practice Support Initiative (IPSI) to help them to optimize their own Electronic Medical Record (EMR) use in support of evidence-based care, and identify best learning and information-sharing practices. This work is being done to benefit their peers locally, and ultimately, across the province.
IPSI aligns the Physician Information Technology Office’s (PITO) expertise with the Practice Support Program (PSP) through the Divisions of Family Practice.
For example, the Powell River physicians are currently using three different EMR systems. As part of the IPSI, they are looking at the best processes to translate new evidence-based practices into all the EMRs in a way that makes the change accurate, usable, successful and sustainable.
Dr Hobson explains that the group is using the Child and Youth Mental Health PSP module as a prototype, but the principles should also work with other new knowledge that may require a change in practice.
The PSP/PITO/Divisions IPSI collaboration provides an opportunity for the partners to explore ways for the programs to work together, with shared goals to optimize the delivery of family physician office support and minimize duplication of efforts. In addition to Powell River, IPSI currently involves physicians in seven other communities.
The primary purpose is to support each prototype community through their testing. A range of support methods are being examined:
- practice coaching
- cross-training
- vendor and peer support
- and more
All are focusing on a more coordinated and collaborative approach across programs to support family physicians and their offices, as we learn that service integration is the key to efficient, effective system improvement.