title: The pharmacist's role in primary care within an integrated health system.
abstract: I read, with interest, the paper by Rosser and Kasperski. I was struck by how similar and applicable the problems and issues identified for family physicians are to those pharmacists face today in Canada's health system. There is a need for a coordinated and systematic approach to address infrastructure support for all primary-care providers. In this companion article, I will provide evidence to support the Ontario College of Family Physicians' position on strengthening family physicians' abilities to provide excellent primary care. In addition, I will make a case for support of greater involvement of pharmacists in community-based primary-care teams.
authors.affiliation: Acute Care Pharmacy Services, Calgary Regional Health Authority, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009313:National Health Programs; D010595:Pharmacists; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011361:Professional Competence; D024382:Professional Role