This season, we’re diving into innovative primary care practices across Canada—starting in Alberta, where one family practice is making timely, high-quality care a reality for more than 25,000 patients within a fully capitated model. In this episode, Tara visits Crowfoot Family Practice in Calgary—a clinic that’s getting team-based care right. Physicians here manage patient panels about 30 percent larger than their peers, thanks to a model where 35–40 percent of care is delivered by non-physicians. Executive Director Shauna Thome gives us a tour of the clinic, and then she and medical director Dr. Janet Reynolds join Tara in conversation. They talk about how the role of the physician on the team is different, how the team is piloting new ways to attach patients without a family doctor, and how continuous quality improvement—with patients as partners—shapes the clinic’s culture.

Research mentioned in this episode

Explore more about the Crowfoot Village Family PracticeTake a look at the case study evaluation Health Quality Alberta published on CrowfootRead more about the Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network Dr. Janey Reynolds leadsRead the final report from the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Care System (MAPS) processCheck out this article that talks about how teams are our hope for the future and can theoretically help doctors care for more patientsSee some photos of Crowfoot Village Family Practice

MAINPRO CREDITS: Family doctors can claim Mainpro Credits by completing a linking learning exercise. 

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Dr. Tara Kiran is a family physician and researcher who is passionate about building a stronger, more equitable primary care system in Canada. She practices at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto where she is also a scientist at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions. In 2022, Dr. Kiran launched OurCare, a national initiative to engage the public in shaping the future of primary care in Canada. You can learn more about Dr. Kiran’s research here: https://maphealth.ca/kiran/ 

Primary Focus is supported by a grant from the St. Michael’s Foundation. Dr. Tara Kiran is supported as the Fidani Chair in Improvement and Innovation at the University of Toronto and a Scientist in the Departments of Family and Community Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto.

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