The BC College of Family Physicians (BCCFP) is drawing attention as family medicine issues become a focal point in provincial discussions. The organization is highlighting urgent challenges in primary care, including a growing shortage of family physicians and the overwhelming administrative burdens that impact their ability to provide timely patient care.
Dr. Jennifer Lush, family physician and Board Member of the BCCFP, has voiced concerns over the administrative burdens faced by physicians, which currently consume up to 30% of their time. She emphasized the urgent need to eliminate unnecessary tasks like sick notes and streamline processes to allow physicians to focus more on patient care.
“We simply cannot allow another doctor’s office to close as a result of government inaction,” said Dr. Lush. “We need the changes to be made now — and we would love to meet with Minister Osborne.”
BCCFP also wants the province to offer family clinics sufficient funding support to run the business and make it an attractive career choice for young physicians who are coming out of medical school.
“Family physicians are running clinics in BC that lack the resources to hire adequate staffing, secure long-term affordable rents, and cover other requirements like insurance. Eighty-five per cent of BC family physicians lack health and dental benefits that would otherwise be afforded to other health care professionals,” the college said.
With health care at the forefront of public discourse, the current spotlight on family medicine would hopefully mark an important step toward meaningful and effective policy changes, from expanded funding and incentives to reducing administrative burden to retain and attract new doctors.
Catch up on the news coverage here:
- Global BC – https://globalnews.ca/news/10891599/bc-doctors-sick-notes-short-term-illnesses-eliminated/
- City News/News 1130 – https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/11/27/bc-cfp-urges-bc-health-ministry-crisis/
- Vancouver Sun – https://vancouversun.com/news/college-family-physicians-calls-action-pending-retirements
- CTV – https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-family-doctors-push-for-meeting-with-new-health-minister-1.7127587
