title: Bridging the gap between family doctors and regional health authorities.
abstract: The communication between family doctors and regional health authorities has become more complex and fragmented over the last 2 decades. By using a novel approach, we developed a medical advisory committee structure for community physicians enshrined in the regional health authority bylaws. This has improved bilateral communication, policy making that affects patients in the community, linkages between programs and family doctors, and input into the institutional care of our patients. We believe this model could be implemented or adapted by regional health authorities elsewhere in Canada having as its ultimate goal better patient care.
authors.affiliation: Memorial University of Newfoundland, 48 Commonwealth Avenue, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 586. Ihatcher@mun.ca
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hatcher
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Howell
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009313:National Health Programs; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012040:Regional Health Planning