Our health care system is under stress. An aging population and increasing burden of chronic disease cannot be addressed solely through the antiquated system of hospital-based health care delivery. One clear solution is the better development and utilization of community-based primary health care (CBPHC) services that extend beyond the traditional primary care medical practice. Canada recognizes the need to foster transformative change in primary care if it is to curb health care spending and improve population health and wellness.
The Rural Community-Based Primary Health Care team co-led by the Centre for Rural Health Research consists of researchers, decision makers, clinicians, and rural communities and is currently engaged in a number of activities:
- Partnerships with rural communities in British Columbia to develop innovative solutions for rural primary care services. We currently provide research support to care providers in the communities of Port McNeill, Vancouver Island, and Salt Spring Island for community-based health service research initiatives.