Efficient state-of-the-art health systems are mainly based on their capacity to provide accessible, continuous and integrated primary care.  For the past few years, primary care has been at the heart of health reforms in Western health systems. Some policies that have been implemented target structures by creating new care models (e.g. Family Medicine Groups); others are aimed at professional practices. An analysis of the evolution of primary care services organization (subsequent to implementation of various policies) and its effects on patients' use of health services is essential to support decision-making and future policies to introduce.

This type of analysis has rarely been performed. The main objective of my research is to analyze the evolution of primary care services organization and the effects on patients' use of those services, with a goal to support the development and implementation of reforms needed to improve health system performance in Québec. This overall objective is addressed through studies structured around three complementary research projects.

The first research project will analyze the evolution of primary care services organizations and inter-organizational collaborations resulting from policies that have altered structures. The second project is designed to analyze the evolution of multi-site practices and the effects on delivery of primary care services following the introduction of policies that have changed professional practices. The third comprises a research project devised to evaluate intersectoral collaboration in primary care.