Enhancing interprofessional collaboration for unattached patients in primary care

Abstract

This project explored an interprofessional collaboration initiative at Clinique Indigo which aimed to improve comprehensive care for unattached patients in Quebec’s primary care system. Throughout the project, physicians and non-physician health professionals alike became more actively engaged in the care of patients lacking a regular primary care provider. The project successfully demonstrated that defining a common vision for “well care” within the clinic and integrating diverse professionals could significantly improve quality of care for unattached patients, evidenced by an increase from 13% to 43% in comprehensive care provision. However, the initiative also faced challenges, including professional turnover and gaps in primary care training, suggesting critical areas for future improvement in healthcare policy and practice. These results support expanded interprofessional approaches in primary care to address systemic care disparities in universal healthcare settings such as this one caused by the differential or absence of attachment to a primary care provider.