Using appreciative inquiry to understand the integration of interprofessional teams within primary care

Over the past fifteen years, primary care networks have been established across Canada; spaces whereby people can access a first point of contact with healthcare professionals focused on chronic disease management, health maintenance, and prevention. British Columbia has recently launched a model of primary care networks and interprofessional teams in response to a current health system challenged with demands related to an aging population and increased prevalence of chronic disease and disability. Using appreciative inquiry for understanding organizational social system change, information was gathered to explore the strengths and directional change needed as shared by primary care providers and case managers working in a Vancouver Island health authority primary care network. The purpose of the project was to understand how these providers could work more effectively within integrated interprofessional teams. Actions focused on the process of facilitating connection, communication, relationship, collaboration and autonomy within these networks are explicated.