The Access to Resources in the Community (ARC) Project

 

Many community-based resources exist to support broader health needs of the population, as well as social determinants of health such as physical activity, transportation, caregiver support, falls prevention, and self-management. Consultations with health planners, providers and other stakeholders in our region have identified that there is a lack of awareness about these resources and they are underutilized. 

The goal of the ARC project is to optimize equitable access to community based resources (CR) for primary care patients experiencing social challenges, including Franco-Ontarians living in minority situations. 

 

The key activities of the ARC project are: 
•    Orientation of primary care practices about the breadth of available health and social CR to which they can refer their patients
•    Promotion of patient awareness of CR through informational brochures and videos in the practice waiting room
•    Implementation of a standardized referral form to increase provider referrals to CR
•    Integration of a non-clinical Patient Navigator within practice sites to help patients address and overcome barriers to access CR

​

The implementation of the ARC project began in August 2017, with four primary care practices in Ottawa, Canada. Collaborative planning and community consultations increase the appropriateness and relevance of the ARC project. If you would like to have a say in this important initiative please contact Darene Toal-Sullivan at DToalSullivan@bruyere.org OR 613-562-6262 x 2916.