Strengthening our work through connection, collaboration, and conversation

The East Kootenay Primary Care Network (EKPCN) is committed to empowering, supporting, and connecting the dedicated individuals who help form the bedrock of primary care clinics within our communities. To advance this priority, we introduced the East Kootenay PCN Peer Network in 2023.

The EKPCN Peer Network brings together primary care Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), Registered Nurses (RNs) and Aboriginal CareNavigators (ACNs) to build new knowledge, share information, and develop a strong, team‐based approach, grounded in patient-centered care.

The 90-minute virtual gatherings, held every eight weeks, serve as vibrant hubs of collaboration, featuring updates from the PCN, as well as in-depth discussions on inter professional learning topics led by esteemed professionals like Dr. Tyla Charbonneau, a Registered Psychologist practicing in Fernie, B.C., and a sessional professor at the University of Calgary.

Throughout 2023, sessions delved into themes such as psychological safety, accountability in communication, and self-regulation in challenging situations. The success of these sessions is evidenced by a recent survey conducted by the East Kootenay Division of Family Practice, where 100% of participants expressed either satisfaction or high satisfaction with the EKPCN Peer Network meetings. One participant noted, “I enjoy having the opportunity to hear from guest speakers about things we can bring into our practice and how to care for ourselves within the new PCN.”

“The idea is to create a space where participants can share their experiences, exchange ideas and best practices, and receive information that supports the creation of effective and self-organizing primary care teams,” said  Shirley Parent, Project Lead East Kootenay Division of Family Practice. “What’s really important about the PeerNetwork is that the connections made, and relationships built, extend well beyond the sessions themselves, and many participants continue to seek support, share resources, and communicate with one another in their day-to-day work tasks.”

New approaches to collaborative team-based healthcare comes with both opportunities and challenges, which is why the EK PCN strives to foster a culture of learning, trust, confidence, and communication.

In addition to the PCN PeerNetwork, Shirley Parent facilitates  other pivotal networks designed to support the goal of delivering comprehensive, coordinated, patient-centred primary healthcare throughout the East Kootenay.

• The EKMOA Support and Resource Network focuses on building relationships between partners, empowering MOAs with tools and resources that would have a direct impact on the quality of patient care, and providing a safe and supportive network for frontline clinic staff. It launched in 2020 and involves monthly online meetings featuring relevant updates, topics, and training, as well as an annual MOA Day gathering, typically held in the fall.
• TheClinic Managers Network meets quarterly to discuss high-level clinic process such as as Covid protocols, referrals, and Pharma Net. As well, resources and information are shared around topics such as billing, business supports offered through Doctors of BC,  and updates from the EK Division of FamilyPractice.

If you work within the PCN and are interested in any of the above networks, connect with Shirley Parent at sparent@ekdivision.ca.