Shared Care Model
In 2011, BWFHT adopted our Shared Care model, which means that while physicians remain the primary care providers for their patients, they may share the care of their patients with the nurse practitioner and a team of healthcare professionals as described here.
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a nurse with advanced university education who works both independently and in collaboration with your family physician and other health professionals to provide you with quality health care services. The NPs at BWFHT are specialists in primary health care. They provide individuals, families and groups with health services in health promotion, disease and injury prevention, cure, rehabilitation and support.
As a member of your health care team, the Nurse Practitioners can:
- Diagnose illness and injuries
- Perform physical check-ups
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests
- Provide counselling and education
- Provide treatment
- Order procedures
- Refer clients to other health care professionals and specialists
- Prescribe medication
- Manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular (i.e. hypertension), HIV, Hepatitis C
The NP role is well established in Ontario, most other North American jurisdictions and the United Kingdom. There has been extensive research regarding the contributions of NPs to patient care in a variety of practice settings. Studies from multiple jurisdictions have consistently shown that patients are very satisfied with NP services. Studies also show that patient outcomes are either the same, or improved, when NPs participate in patient care.
For the complete list of services and programs offered at BWFHT, visit our Services & Programs pages.
