One of the most important values of the Primary Care Networks is teamwork. We know that we deliver the best care when we are working together to provide a wide range of expertise to support people in their unique healthcare journeys! To recognize the importance of this, we have established Interprofessional Teams (IPTs) for the PCNs in Vancouver. These teams are made up of 5 different healthcare disciplines, including Social Workers, Clinical Pharmacists, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Counsellors, and Registered Dietitians. These allied health providers work closely with Primary Care Providers (Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner who supports your ongoing care) to support a person’s medical, wellness and social needs. If your Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner has access to the IPT program they can refer you to one (or more) of these services.
You can access these services if:
- You are attached to a Primary Care Provider in Vancouver who has access to the program
- You are 19 years of age and older
- You cannot access similar allied health support through your Extended Health Benefits
- You are not attached to another care team that can provide these supports (e.g. Home Health, Mental Health Team, etc.)
- You are not accessing these allied health supports through an ICBC or WorkSafeBC claim
- Your Primary Care Provider has access to refer to the program
- Your Primary Care Provider feels your care needs are appropriate for the program
- Your care needs are appropriate for mild to moderate, short term duration support (approx. 2 – 8 sessions)
- You do not require outreach support (someone to visit you in your home) or long term/complex trauma therapy
- You are not experiencing active psychosis/suicidal ideation, or at risk of harm to self or others
IPT allied health providers can provide support in other languages as available, but also have access to interpreters in over 200 languages including American Sign Language. You can find out more about the program here. If your care needs are appropriate, speak with your Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner to find out if they can refer you to the IPT.