Processes and Structures Enabling Family Physician Participation in Ontario Health Teams: A Multiple Case Study

Context: In 2019, the provincial government of Ontario launched a new model of health care delivery called Ontario Health Teams (OHT). OHTs seek to provide better integrated care for patients by coordinating services within a region. Primary care participation is central to the success of the OHT model. OHTs are adopting different methods to enable participation from the primary care sector.

Objective: The objectives are to illustrate the processes and structures used by various OHTs to enable full participation by primary care physicians and highlight shared challenges that prevent full participation.

Study Design and Analysis: We used a multiple-case study design to gain a deeper understanding of family physician participation by drawing on several instrumental cases. A cross-case analysis was completed to draw out similarities and differences across cases. A document analysis was also undertaken to validate the cross-case analysis findings.

Setting or Dataset: Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually. OHT-related documentation also comprised the dataset for this study.

Population Studied: The study population is comprised of primary care physicians and stakeholders including OHT leads and committee members of OHTs. We engaged “gatekeepers” at each OHT who suggested key stakeholders to interview. We also employed snowball sampling to recruit other stakeholders to the study.

Intervention/Instrument: We used an interview protocol and document analysis template.

Outcome Measures: Outcome measures include example processes and/or structures for physician participation and key learnings for OHTs.

Results: 39 participants participated in this study. 17 (44%) were primary care physicians and 22 (56%) were OHT leads or administrators. There were few structures and processes that enabled family physician participation, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to the OHTs being in its early stages. Inequitable distribution of resources within regions, skepticism towards system change, and funding model limitations were system-level challenges. Lack of time, loss of revenue, intangible outcomes, and poor communication and/or consultation were also significant barriers.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that OHTs have not been able to attain full physician participation. OHTs must address barriers and initiate authentic consultation processes to maximize primary care representation across the province.