Lighting the Way to Interdisciplinary Primary Health Care

Abstract

Between 2004 and 2006, the Enhancing Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Primary Health Care (EICP) initiative undertook research on interdisciplinary collaboration. The last report prepared by the Initiative, Interdisciplinary Primary Health Care: Finding the Answers — A Case Study Report, offers a research-based blueprint for action by showcasing some current successful collaborative practices in primary health care. Several key learnings are discussed, especially in areas such as health human resources, funding, liability, regulation, information and communication technologies, management and leadership and planning and evaluation. Each of the primary health care organizations that were studied has created very different organizational cultures and teams. Each has faced different obstacles and developed innovative solutions to overcome them, indicating that there is no single right way, no step-by-step prescription as how to best pursue this method of care. Their innovative approaches are enlightening the way to interdisciplinary primary health care.