The relationship between family physicians and specialists is fundamental to the delivery of effective health care, especially for patients with chronic health conditions. 

Gaps in communication between hospital and community-based physicians, and family doctors and specialists, can impede the flow of care, resulting in a fragmented health care experience for patients, families and providers. 

Many regional family physicians, specialists, and partners at the EK Division of Family Practice, Interior Health and Ktunaxa Nation, are working together through Shared Care initiatives to bridge those gaps, with the goal of providing a coordinated health care experience for all East Kootenay residents. By facilitating collaboration between physicians, Shared Care initiatives foster mutual trust, respect and knowledge of each physician’s expertise, skills, and responsibilities, all of which are integral to effective collaboration and collegial relationships.

Long term, Shared Care work helps to build a collaborative infrastructure to support sustainable improvements for a coordinated health care system in our region.

The East Kootenay Shared Care Steering Committee, formed in 2013, helps us:

• Identify and develop new regional and community projects;  
• Bring specialists and family physicians together for better coordinated patient care;  
• Bridge gaps in communication between hospital and community-based physicians with the goal of providing a coordinated health care experience for all;
• Facilitate collaboration between physicians to foster mutual trust, respect and knowledge of each physician’s expertise, skills, and responsibilities, all of which are integral to effective collaboration and collegial relationships.

Committee members include local specialists, family physicians, Interior Health members and provincial Shared Care staff. If you have an idea for a potential Shared Care project, please contact:  

Jacqui van Zyl
Program Manager
EK Division of Family Practice
jvanzyl@ekdivision.ca