Developing Community-Based Primary Health Care for Complex and Vulnerable Populations in the Vancouver Coastal Health Region: HealthConnection Clinic

Introduction: Designing, delivering, and evaluating high-performing primary health care services for complex and vulnerable subpopulations are challenging endeavors. However, there is a relative paucity of research evidence available to support such work.

Objective: To provide a case study using HealthConnection Clinic, a public primary care center located in Metropolitan Vancouver's North Shore.

Methods: Developmental evaluation approach operationalizing the 10 Building Blocks of High-Performing Primary Care framework using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Results: The clinic provided valuable insights to policymakers and researchers related to development of the Building Blocks' foundational elements, particularly engaged leadership, empanelment, and data-driven improvement. The study highlighted the key enablers, achievements, challenges, and barriers related to operationalizing each Building Block. The Building Blocks were a useful heuristic that enabled the development and evaluation of primary care for complex subpopulations. Particularly salient from a Canadian policy perspective was the demonstration that system integration was possible when highly engaged leaders from a Regional Health Authority and a Division of Family Practice shared a common vision and purpose. HealthConnection Clinic's entrepreneurial spirit has enabled the development of innovative, evidence-based tools such as the AMPS complexity assessment tool (attachment, medical conditions, psychological/mental health/addictions challenges, and socioeconomic status), designed to identify and assess biopsychosocial complexity and needs. The study also highlighted the importance of incorporating community orientation and equity into developmental work.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates how the Building Blocks approach can be adapted to operationalize high-performing primary care standards in settings serving complex and vulnerable populations.