What is Pathways?

Pathways is a trusted online directory of healthcare providers, services, and clinical resources that supports clinicians in British Columbia. Pathways supports delivery of timely, high quality patient care, and helps reduce clinicians' administrative burden contributing to a stronger health system.

Pathways also contains directories for patients so that they can find appropriate medical care PathwaysMedicalCare.ca provides patients with a quick summary of data about their primary care provider, including information about virtual care options. Our Community Service Directory helps the public quickly find a wide variety of health authority or community servicer in your local area.

Who we are Pathways started more than a decade ago as a small, grassroots project developed by physicians in the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice. Today, it has since grown into an independent not-for-profit society serving all of BC and even other provinces. Despite this growth it remains grounded in its grassroots commitment to community-driven innovation and collaboration. Funding for Pathways comes from a unique collaboration between Doctors of BC and the BC Ministry of Health. Guidance and input are provided by the Family Practice Services Committee and all Joint Collaborative Committees. Divisions of Family Practice, groups of physicians who work at the community-level to improve primary care, also provide funding and are important partners.

What we do

	Consultant, Clinic and Service Directory - This log-in directory provides rich comprehensive data to support clinicians in referring patients to the most appropriate consultant or clinic. Pathways includes wait times for each consultant, which consultants provide virtual care services, and it also identifies which conditions or procedures consultants will see on referral, so patients are referred to the right consultant the first time.
	Patient Information and Clinical Tools - Pathways actively curates a collection of patient information from trusted sources that can even be emailed to patients right from Pathways. Pathways also works with GPAC, UBC CPD, Shared Care and other partners to curate a collection of trusted clinical tools, including care pathways/algorithms.
	Forms - Physicians have access to updated forms and clinical resources at point-of-care, which can be e-mailed directly to patients by the physician or health care provider.

For Patients and Health Care Providers

	Pathways Medical Care Directory - This public directory was created to help patients quickly find information about their provider, or to find care if they do not have one, and lets expectant parents find available maternity care providers in their local area.
	Community Service Directory - This public directory helps patients and health care navigators find and access community services & Health Authority services in their local area. Supports include resource material for mental health and substance use, postpartum, public health, seniors, and those new to a region or new to Canada.

Physicians and other health care providers:

Reduced administrative burden and increased supports to deliver more timely care for patients, including:

• Easier and faster to identify appropriate clinics and services for patients.
• Easy, quick access at point-of-care to evidence-based clinician tools and information.
• Ability to e-mail information/patient resources directly to patients while in the exam room.
• Opportunity for new specialists to quickly build a patient panel, or communicate changes to their practice to family physicians.
• Specialists do not have to self-maintain their clinic data on the Pathways system. The Pathways team provides support and streamlines the process for consultants and their staff. This reduces burden on clinicians and improves the data quality of the directory.

Patients:

• Referrals to the right consultant specialist or clinic/service to meet patients’ needs, when they need it and where they live.
• Patient information, resources, updates on referrals sent directly to patient from the doctors’ office.
• Public-facing directories to help access medical care and community services close to home.

The health care system:

• Provides trusted source of data provincially and at community level to guide planning and decision-making to meet the real needs of patients in their communities.
• Shares knowledge in a multi-dimensional way to support delivery of timely, quality patient care across the health care system.
• Supports strong collaboration and relationships. When we work together, we grow together, and have a better chance to succeed.
• Reduces administrative burden to physicians and other health care providers, reducing stress and streamlining workflow.

Following the initial pilot, a comprehensive evaluation of Pathways' impact was conducted. See the summary below.