Physician Safety

Every physician should feel safe and protected in delivering the care that British Columbians value. We know that the vast majority of British Columbians value their relationship with their family physician. However, there has been an increase in physicians being subject to harassment, abusive language and intimidation during the currently tense environment caused by the pandemic. To support doctors and remind BC patients that we all deserve respect, resources have been made available, including a downloadable poster reminding patients that verbally abusive or aggressive behaviour is not acceptable. The poster and more safety resources available here.

BC Cancer Primary Care Learning Sessions

Online learning sessions on colorectal, breast and prostate cancer are now available online.  There is no charge for enrollment.  Each module explores the role of primary care providers in supporting patients through their cancer journey, and highlights best practices in screening, treatment and surveillance. Resources are abundant throughout with the content focusing on case-based presentation of the most current evidence-based information available.  Modules have been produced with UBC’s Division of Continuing Professional Development, and working groups chaired by a General Practitioner in Oncology, and including family physicians, oncologists, surgeons, and patient partners leading their development.

Speak with a Specialist in Minutes

One of the most exciting and challenging aspects of being a family doctor is the myriad of cases we see from day to day. To help you provide knowledgeable care in all scenarios, Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise Care (RACE) gives you direct phone access to any specialist you may need. All specialists can be reached through the same telephone number, and usually take just a few minutes to get to the phone.

Number: 604.696.2131 or toll-free 1.877.696.2131

You can also download the RACE app by searching RACEconnect on your Apple or Android phone.

Addiction Medicine

The BC Centre for Substance Use (BCCSU) supports primary care clinicians and other health care providers across the province in utilizing more effective approaches to addiction and substance use screening, assessment, and treatment. A core function is to develop and disseminate world-leading evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and protocols focused on substance use disorders, health system interventions, and key populations. Visit the website for current guidelines/protocols.

Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise Care (RACE) also provides phone access to addiction medicine specialists.

Recruitment and Retention

PracticeinBC.ca is a recruitment and retention portal site with two parts: one has information for people interested in being a family doctor in BC and the other has tools for divisions seeking new family doctors for their communities.  It is a is a portal site created by the Divisions of Family Practice Recruitment and Retention Steering Committee, with support from GPSC, to assist local divisions in attracting and retaining family doctors.  Tools and templates to help divisions and BC doctors include how to: prepare for successful family doctor recruitment and retention, attract family doctors to their communities, engage new family doctors in community life and support new family doctors in obtaining the appropriate licensing and privileges.

Health Data Coalition

The Health Data Coalition (HDC) is a physician-led data sharing initiative. The HDC is an EMR agnostic IT platform that makes it possible to aggregate data across hundreds of clinics and providers while maintaining patient and provider confidentiality

Electronic Communications, Protecting Privacy

This CMPA web page provides useful information and links related to electronic communications and patient confidentiality.

Choosing Wisely

Choosing Wisely Toolkit Our multimedia-friendly toolkit equips health care providers with user-friendly videos, printable posters for their clinics, and printable infographics designed to facilitate informed discussions and give patients resources they can take home.

Do More Screening Tests Lead to Better Health?  Find out in this informative video.

 

MAid

These resources are curated to help family physicians locate current professional resources and information on medical assistance in dying (MAiD).

Government of BC: Medical Assistance in Dying – Information for Health Care Providers (includes changes to reporting requirements effective Mar 17, 2021)

College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC: Practice Standards: Medical Assistance in Dying (May 10, 2022)

British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives: Role of the Nurse Practitioner in MAiD

College of Pharmacists of BC: Medical Assistance in Dying

College of Family Physicians of Canada: CFPC Resource Page with MAiD Links 

Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers: CAMAP mission includes supporting MAiD assessors and providers in their work. 

Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association: Advance Care Planning Primary Care Toolkit

Canadian Medical Protective Association: Medical Assistance in Dying and the Law – Where do we stand now? (revised June 2021) AND Medical-Legal Handbook for Physicians in Canada

Government of Canada:

Medical Assistance in Dying – Legislation (March 17, 2021) (This page contains information about medical assistance in dying, including the request process, who is eligible and who can provide the service. Also find out how the service is being carried out across Canada.)

Health Canada End-of-life Care

Bill C-14

Patient Education

As patients turn to the Internet more and more to manage their own health, you can help give them access to reliable evidence-based sites.

BC Guidelines this app features over 60 clinical practice guidelines and is now available for both Android and Apple.

Prevention in Hand the CFPC, in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), has developed the Prevention in Hand (PiH) website, a one-stop, user-friendly website and mobile application that is a valuable health care resource for both health care providers and patients by offering current and clinically reviewed information about the prevention of chronic diseases.  CFPC members can also earn MainPro+ credits through eLearning modules that are available on the PiH website.

HealthLink BC includes health information, a symptom checker, public health alerts and tips for healthy living

FamilyDoctor.Org features health information for individuals and families in all stages of life.

Public Health Agency of Canada provides information about travel health, immunizations and vaccines.

Inspire connects patients, families, friends, caregivers and health professionals into supportive health and wellness communities.

Patients Like Me helps patients share their treatment experiences, find others like themselves, and learn from people with experience and answers.

Other Resources:

American Academy of Family Physicians has up-to-date educational materials for physicians and patients about common public health issues; vaccination schedules; and product-related patient safety alerts or adverse drug events.

MedlinePlus offers easy-to-understand information about diseases, conditions and wellness issues for patients.

Medstopper is a deprescribing resource for healthcare professionals and their patients.

CVD Calculator is a resource for calculating CVD risk that combines three different commonly used tools.

DocMikeEvans Dr. Mike Evans is founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a staff physician at St. Michael’s Hospital.

James McCormack Dr. James McCormack’s focus is on shared decision-making using evidence-based information and rational therapeutic principles. He is also the co-host of a very popular weekly podcast called the Best Science (BS) Medicine podcast.