An Integrated Approach to Primary Care in the Community: The Saskatoon Tribal Council Health Bus Project

An Integrated, Community Based Approach to CareIntegrated care provides community members access to services where and when they need it most. In some cases, providing care, when none would be sought out otherwise, in underserved and in need segments of the population. It also allows patients to have a voice and actively participate in their care decisions while staying in their communities.This approach also provides an opportunity for health practitioners, such as paramedics, to leverage their skillsets bringing care directly to patients near their homes and communities. These health providers get to know their patients, and sometimes live in the communities in which they work, providing longstanding connections and building mutual trust with those they serve. Bringing care directly to patients will ultimately increase capacity in our health systems.Today, the post-pandemic health system is stretched bare and facing challenges in volumes never seen with recruitment and consistent access to primary care. This strategy of bringing care directly to those who need it requires building relationships and trust between provincial, municipal and federal governments, community partners such as Medavie Health Services (MHS) West and the Saskatoon Tribal Council.Project Scope and The Bus in PracticeSaskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand observed a health bus provincially run and operating in Saskatoon since 20, and recognized its potential to serve the seven First Nation communities he represents. He brought the idea forward and in accordance with the principles of truth and reconciliation, all agreed that the establishment of a service like the city Health Bus in their territory would be an invaluable resource. Partners such as Synergy 8 Community Builders, 75 local sponsors, MHS West, the provincial and federal governments, and the Saskatoon Tribal Council all partnered to support efforts, such as fundraising to reach the $. million goal to build the Saskatoon Tribal Council Health Bus (The Bus).Officially launched in 202, The Bus was staffed with a primary health team to meet a multitude of needs the team may face when providing care in the seven indigenous communities. A dental team, a mental health worker, and a community paramedic were on staff. The Bus provides primary care services to patients who can drop in without an appointment to seek emergency medical and/or mental health resources. The Bus, a fully equipped RV with advanced technology and facilities, operates four days a week throughout the ten-month school year, and then a modified schedule over the summer months visiting summer camps and community events.MHS West contributed $00,000 to the capital campaign to build The Bus and is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the vehicle. The Bus has a community paramedic that is employed by MHS West who serves as an emergency medical service provider in the community during medical visits. The Bus is a five-year, $2.5 million pilot project in partnership with the provincial and federal government. The Future of CareEmploying the strategy of bringing direct care to those who need it, reversing the common approach for patients requiring travel for a visit to an emergency department or dental office, has yielded excellent results.The Bus has now expanded their original scope to include a truck and trailer equipped with fitness equipment, which will be used to support summer sports camps in each of the seven First Nation communities during the summer for five days a week. The Bus also spends the summer months attending community events to provide primary health care.

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