Amdocs_FN_mar03

Improving health outcomes… one community at a time.

Dr. Dave Williams BSc, MD, FCFP, MPH

Chief of Staff and Medical Director, Amdocs Inc.

Unmet needs abound.First Nations communities suffer from a long history of being under-serviced by existing health systems. The health status of First Nations people ranks consistently below the Canadian average, as measured by indicators such as rates of hospitalization, communicable diseases, suicide, and mortality. Diabetes and other chronic conditions such as mental health, addictions, cancer, and obesity are at epidemic levels.

Although Federal and Provincial Government healthcare services are available in remote and northern communities, the need far exceeds the level of service. Low community health status diminishes local capacity for economic development significantly, and a lack of localized health infrastructure leads to an almost continual state of “crisis management” in healthcare service delivery.

It’s time for better solutions!Money is being spent on First Nations health, it’s just not being spent in the most effective manner. Adherence to best practice standards of care is low. Special programs designed to address specific health related concerns often fail to achieve their goals because basic community and health infrastructure is too weak.

Physicians are rarely present in First Nations communities—often for just a few hours per month. Frequent physician turn-over results in poor continuity of care, confusing patients and undermining confidence. Attracting and retaining qualified health professionals in remote northern communities is difficult, with nursing stations and physician clinics often overwhelmed with demand. Lack of access to physicians often results in delayed diagnosis and treatment of medical issues.

In addition to practitioner shortages, many areas have insufficient capacity in medical leadership. As a result, required practice support, standards, or quality improvement may be insufficient.

I have been privileged to work as a Community Health Nurse for the past 3K years. I have been very pleased with the quality and level of physician support our Nursing Station has received through the Amdocs physicians who provide medical support. They have come to know Muskrat Dam and its residents very well which enables them to provide the best medical care possible.

We partner with patientsfor improved health.

Nellie Beardie RN, BScNThe Nellie Fiddler Memorial Holistic Health Centre

Fulfilling a shared dream…

Together we have created a network of wellbeing, wellness, and managed care in every First Nations community.

In remote localities across the north, people are healthier, happier, and enjoy an improved standard of living. Rates of chronic disease—like diabetes and obesity—are declining significantly.

Families and children get the care they need, at home where they live. Elders enjoy vibrant good health, right in their own communities. Addictions decline as health and wellness improves. Spiritual needs are met as wellness grows.

All of our people have managed care that meets their needs now and for their whole lives. Valuable partnerships have helped build a sustainable future.

Care is local. Care is integrated.

Imagine what we can build together…

We’re improving health outcomes.Amdocs helps communities turn the corner in taking their health systems out of crisis and into a holistic, proactive problem-solving stance. We improve community health status by taking a population health and public health point of view, targeting patient populations in crisis, stabilizing their conditions, and then expanding access to the entire community for comprehensive primary care services. Improving community health status in turn results in more economically viable communities.

Our Amdocs physicians live and work in First Nations communities. As such, they take on leadership roles in these communities’ health systems, training other providers, and counseling patients and their families regarding healthier living.

Amdocs—a trusted healthcare provider. We are changing health outlooks in numerous First Nations communities, enhancing self-determination in health, allowing locally relevant decisions to be made with greater confidence, and enabling First Nations to assume ownership over their own health system. Amdocs provides collaboration and suppport for First Nation health initiatives and helps establish credibility for enhanced health transfer and self-determination.

Consistent success in working with funding agencies to obtain money for physician resources for First Nations communities has been a key to this success. Our physicians and their teams comprise the foundation for improved local health, health services, and localized infrastructure development.We save money by building the appropriate level of health infrastructure in local communities, reducing medical transportation and hospitalization costs. A shared vision for improved wellbeing in First Nations communities guides our progress. Effective partnerships fuel our momentum.

Decreased Rates of Monthly Medivacs in Pikangikum, population 2,400 (source: Medivac Data)

100

80

60

40

20

02006 2009

87

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Pikangikum, Ontario, offers a vivid example of improved efficiencies realized by com-munity based MD services. Medivacs were reduced dramatically over a three-year period—potential medical transportation savings are freed for further investment in community based health care services and infrastructure.

Dr. Anthon Meyer MBChB, CCFP

Amdocs’ vision is bold. We’re addressing healthcare disparities head-on. We are succeeding in dramatically improving the health of First Nations communities… one person at a time.

Amdocs Inc.77 Main StreetWinnipeg, ManitobaCanada R3C 2R1 Phone: (204) 934 1556Fax: (204) 934 1602Toll-free: 1 888 934 1556 [email protected] www.amdocshealth.com

Amdocs provides community-based physician services through a group practice model. Our approach is proving successful in changing health outlooks for remote and northern Canadian communities.

Contact us to learn more about bringing primary physician services to your community…

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Dr. Dave Williams BSc, MD, FCFP, MPH

Chief of Staff and Medical Director, Amdocs Inc.

Reliable, consistent, sustainable healthcare solutions result from carefully considered long-term investments.

Improving health outlooks…2000 Dr. Anthon Meyer, a family physician from South Africa, arrives in Thompson, Manitoba. Confronted by the third-world health conditions he encounters in First Nations communities, he sets plans in place for positive change.

2003 Anthon Meyer Doctors Service (Amdocs) is formed, delivering in-situ physician services in Cross Lake, MB.

2004 On-call telephone assistance is provided to nurses working in the Manitoban First Nations communities of Oxford House, Shamattawa, Split Lake, South Indian Lake, Nelson House, Brochet, Lac Brochet, and Tadoule Lake.

2006 Amdocs begins servicing communities in northwest Ontario with a clinic in Pikangikum, followed by Big Trout Lake, Muskrat Dam, and Sioux Lookout.

2007 A clinic staffed by Amdocs physicians opens in Gods Lake Narrows, MB. Word of improving health outcomes spreads within First Nations leadership, fuelling additional requests for Amdocs to extend primary healthcare services to under-served communities.

2008 Amdocs’ program is introduced in Gods River, MB with a special focus on disease management and collaborative practice.

2009 Amdocs joins forces with The North West Company (NWC). NWC is Canada’s leading northern retailer and this country’s largest non-governmental employer of First Nations people. An expanded team of full-time staff concentrate on physician recruitment, support services including logistics, infrastructure development, and community relations, and expanding Amdocs’ service offer in remote communities.

2010 Dr. Dave Williams joins Amdocs Inc. as Chief of Staff and Medical Director. Planning and negotiations proceed with various stakeholders and groups of First Nations leaders with regards to introducing sustainable healthcare systems and solutions in remote communities.

Amdocs focuses on academic excellence with the launch of its own Continuing Medical Education (CME) program. Amdocs’ physicians’ university academic affiliation enables assistance with Manitoba’s Provincial Government initiative in family medicine resident training and support in northern, remote, and rural communities.

2011 Amdocs signs an MOU with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO), the political organization representing northern First Nation communities in Manitoba, identifying Amdocs as it’s preferred partner.

Amdocs Inc. and NWC’s Health Products and Services Division form a joint-venture partnership with MKO to create Muskehki Inc. in order to deliver pharmaceutical services to 30 MKO First Nations in northern Manitoba.