Celebrating Allied Health Professionals Within IPTs

Individual talent can solve everyday problems, but teamwork creates real change in patients’ health outcomes. This is as true within the Primary Care Network (PCN) Interprofessional Teams (IPTs) as it is anywhere.

The IPTs are designed to facilitate a simplified referral process, while allowing professionals to share information and knowledge to the benefit of primary providers, team members, and patients alike.

The success of the teams is a result of contributions from five groups of allied health professionals: registered dietitians, clinical counsellors, social workers, occupational therapists, and clinical pharmacists.

In March we celebrate not one but three of these professions with the observance of Pharmacy Appreciation Month, Nutrition Month, and Social Work Month. As we do so, we’d like to recognize the support given by all who are involved in the IPTs.

IPT Dietitian Benefits from Shared Expertise, Perspective 

“The part that I really appreciate is being able to reach out and have access to other clinicians and their expertise,” says Natalie Choy. “Such a big part of our work is knowing where to look.”

The PCN Dietitian became a member of an IPT about a year ago and believes that the structure offers great benefit to all involved.

“If we identify something, or if the client identifies a concern to us, we’re able to connect with our colleagues in another discipline and make an internal referral so that the patient is supported,” she says.

With healthcare providers being so busy, information on patients can be difficult to coordinate. Choy has found that being part of an interprofessional team has allowed her to see the bigger picture with regard to a patient’s health.

“We all remain up to date on what’s happening,” she says. “The approach allows us to review what was discussed and have a better understanding of what’s going on in other aspects of the patient’s care.”

IPT Pharmacists Partnering with Clinics

PCN Pharmacists are accessible through the regular IPT structure, as well as being available to be scheduled directly with clinics on a rotational basis. These co-locations are occurring both in-clinic and virtually, and are proving popular for clinics, pharmacists, and patients.

Ruby Sangha has been a pharmacist for almost 30 years, having spent most of that time doing clinical work at VGH. After transferring to primary care she began spending Wednesdays working at Fraser Street Medical. She believes that the arrangement is another example of teamwork providing benefit all around.

“Family doctors are extremely busy and there’s not always enough time in the day to tackle some of the issues that patients are bringing up,” says Sangha. “We can answer some of those questions, we can do the lit search.”2

Sangha meets with patients, interviewing them, discussing their needs, and getting their perspectives. She says that patients benefit from the clarity that’s built during the one on one meetings.

“One of the benefits is being able to go over some of those things with the patients,” she says. “I do a bit more digging in order to figure out the whys and hows.” 

Access to Social Workers Important to Patients

Access to social workers is another important benefit. As IPTs facilitate easier referrals, patients benefit from social workers and their perspective on social determinants of health. These team members provide emotional counseling, crisis intervention, and connections to vital community resources. This holistic approach enhances patient well-being, aiding in recovery and ensuring their broader social and emotional needs are met.

This value is reflected in recent patient survey feedback.

“I am very impressed by the high level of service across the board from the referral from my NP, the initial consult with a social worker, and the actual counselling sessions,” read one response. “I’m very grateful that this new initiative exists.”

“My social worker was incredibly accommodating and I always felt safe and comfortable speaking to her,” read another.

IPT Engagement Series Facilitates Better Understanding Between Providers, Team Members 

As part of her involvement in the PCN IPT, Choy recently collaborated with a PCN Pharmacist colleague to speak to attendees of an IPT Engagement Series session. This monthly online series connects Primary Care Providers and IPT Clinicians to optimize how they work together to support their patients. The two presented a case study that centred on caring for a client living with diabetes..

“We were able to give those in attendance an idea about how our two disciplines would approach a situation like this and what supports we might be able to provide in that scenario,” she says.

Choy believes that the monthly online events create an excellent opportunity for providers to better understand team members and vice versa.

“During the breakout session providers were able to ask questions, which gave me an opportunity to get a sense of the supports and resources that might be helpful for them,” she says. “Everybody’s busy, but the sessions gave us dedicated time to have a dialogue”

Over the past year, we have held 9 sessions with an average of 32 attendees at each session. Sessions focus on how a multidisciplinary approach can be used to support patients with anxiety, diabetes, depression, pain and more!  95% of the Primary Care Providers who attend the sessions would recommend them to a colleague. Those interested are encouraged to review previous sessions and register for future ones.

IPTs Benefit Patients 

Patient feedback shows an appreciation for the benefits they receive as a result of the IPTs.

“I had such a wonderful experience,” reports one patient who recently consulted with a dietitian. 

“I feel like it was the perfect amount of sessions,” says another. “The [PCN Registered Dietitian] was unbelievable and really helped me develop a positive relationship with food. Within less than a year I have completely changed my outlook on food which has greatly improved my life.”

Cited Sources

1 Direct Communication with Natalie Choy (March 2024)

2 Direct Communication with Ruby Sangha (March 2023