Promising Practices for Strengthening Primary Care

This guide presents promising practices for strengthening primary care through the implementation of satellite internet in remote communities of British Columbia, Canada. The document outlines the challenges faced by these communities in accessing virtual care due to a lack of internet connectivity. It details how satellite internet has been successfully deployed in eight communities, enabling equitable access to team-based primary care. The guide provides examples of the impacts of this initiative, including increased access to virtual care for over 13,000 individuals and improved efficiency for healthcare providers through video consultations and real-time access to patient records. It also discusses keys to success such as funding, community partnerships, and flexibility in usage. Lessons learned emphasize the importance of community guidance and sharing success stories to promote awareness. This summary aims to inform other organizations about effective strategies for enhancing access to primary care services in similar contexts.