HSA releases report from conference on the need for health science professionals on primary and community care teams

A message from HSA President Val Avery 

On behalf of the Health Science Association’s 18,000 members, I am pleased to share the Final Report and Recommendations from our April 2018 Primary and Community Care Conference – Achieving High-Performing Primary and Community Care: The Critical Role of Health Science Professions. 

Too often in BC’s public health care system there is a disconnect between frontline clinicians and decision-makers who are responsible for making policy decisions that affect patients and the health care workforce. With the Ministry of Health’s vision to move towards an integrated system of team-based primary and community care, at HSA we felt it would be critical for decision-makers to hear directly from health science professionals about what’s working and what’s not.

Health science professionals are highly skilled, dedicated and caring professionals who are committed to strengthening our public health care system. The conference was the first of its kind to focus on the contributions of public-practice health science professionals and their commitment to team-based care. I encourage you to watch our short conference video where HSA members and the Honourable Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, describe the important contributions of health science professionals working together on the team to improve care for British Columbians.

Health science professionals are already on the frontlines of innovative programs that seek to fill gaps in the current system – but we know that our system can, and must, do better. But this will only be achieved by learning from clinicians about what facilitates and impedes interprofessional teamwork, implementing proven strategies based on the evidence from BC and internationally, and taking action on the urgent workforce challenges that create barriers to health care improvement.

Thank you to all the health science professionals who are working to improve care for British Columbians. I hope you find that your comments, concerns and recommendations are reflected in this report. As well, we were delighted to have such interest and participation from government, health authorities, researchers and patient and community advocacy organizations. Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful contributions to this important discussion. We hope that the conference contributes to ongoing dialogue that includes health and social care providers, policymakers, patients and the public.

To view the conference's Full Report and Recommendations, click here.