Primary Care Physician Engagement in Health System Transformation: A case study
Abstract
Primary care physician engagement is essential in enhancing organizational performance, system efficacy, and provider collaboration; yet limited literature exists within health systems research. This thesis explored physician engagement throughout the development of an organization known as the London Middlesex Primary Care Alliance (LMPCA). This thesis used a qualitative case study approach guided by a constructivist paradigm. The findings revealed six themes which contributed to the development of the LMPCA and provided insight into how physicians were engaged within health systems work. Unique to this study were two facilitators for engagement: the role of a transformation lead and the use of a grassroots approach to physician engagement. This study may support other regional primary care provider alliances who want to effectively engage physicians within health systems related work. This research will contribute to enhancing the quality of health systems work, including the ongoing development of Ontario Health Teams, and support the improvement of stakeholder engagement within and across primary care settings.