New Physiatrist Joins Dr. Letcher's Team - Intro Talk

Dr. Kevin Letcher has recruited a second physiatrist to come and work in Qualicum Beach out of his office.  Dr. Tim Lapp  has been practicing in Huntsville, Ontario for 15+ years. The plan is for him to come to Qualicum for a week at a time every three months.

His practice focus is different than Dr. Letcher's, and together, they will be able to offer comprehensive out-patient physiatry service to the Central Island.

Dr. Lapp's  focus will be:
1.       Peripheral nerve disorders, including EMG/Nerve Conduction (in the offfice).
2.       Spasticity management (stroke, CP, ABI, MS, etc.,), including Botox injections.

His first week will be February 27–March 3, and they are ready to start accepting referrals through their office at 250-594-4904.

The clinic would like Dr. Lapp to do an introductory talk during that first week on spasticity management for the Oceanside family physicians (and whoever else wants to come) - please could you register your interest directly with Dr. Letcher's practice at 250-594-4904.

Extended Services, New Internist at Protea Clinic

Dr Swart is pleased to announce that Dr Kennedy Feyi, who is an internist in Port Alberni, will be consulting at the Protea clinic on the last Friday of each month, starting on March 31st.  

Protea Clinic and Dr. Swart are happy to announce that endocrinologist Dr. Reynolds will be returning to perform another clinic on March 13, 2017.  Please fax all referrals directly to Protea Clinic at 250-752-3519.  Patients will be booked in and referrals forwarded to Dr.Reynolds beforehand.

As well, ​Independent Respiratory Services has been working out of Protea Clinic for several months, providing advice and testing for patients with COPD, sleep apnea, etc.  This is an excellent service that allows patients to be assessed in the Oceanside area.  Please use this REFERRAL FORM to access this great service while it is are being offered in our area.

Maternity Care Comes to Oceanside!

Colleagues,

I’m excited to let you know about a new service available to maternity patients in the Oceanside area. Three Nanaimo-based family physicians providing obstetrical care are partnering with Island Health to provide maternity care at Family Place in Parksville. Drs. Findlay, Gillis and Grimes will offer a monthly maternity clinic for patients in the Oceanside area. This clinic will look after pregnant patients and newborns until six-weeks post-partum. After this point, patients will be referred back to their primary care provider.

Patients requiring more-frequent than monthly appointment such as those in the third trimester will, for now, still require some appointments in Nanaimo.

Referrals for the Oceanside Maternity Clinic at Family Place can be sent to these physicians’ office in Nanaimo:
Lexitor Medical
205-1808 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo BC V9S 5W4
Phone 250-753-6646
Fax 250-763-6174

Further details can be found here.

Please consider referring patients to this new options for maternity care closer to home.

Yours sincerely,


Ben T. Williams, MD, CCFP
Medical Director
Oceanside Community
Island Health
Ben.Williams@VIHA.ca

IM/IT Clinician Engagement Webinars

Quick update on status of the IM/IT Clinician Engagement Webinars.

We are finalizing some upcoming speakers and topics and will have some details on topics and a few invites out to you shortly. 

​Approximately 70+ MDs have signed up for the IM/IT Webinar master list so far.  Any physicians interested can send their email and contact info to Astrid Huber (dtoadmin@doctorsofbc.ca). 

MDs on the master list will receive information about upcoming IM/IT webinars, dates and times and can select topics that are of interest to them. 

MDs will then be sent an invite with more information on how to participate and logistics. 

Pur​pose:  The purpose of the IM/IT webinars is to get clinical feedback on provincial/regional projects/programs in BC.  The gap reported by physicians has been the need to ensure more clinical input into projects that affect MDs.  The webinars are being designed so that MDs have some protected space to give feedback and be engaged by stakeholders in IM/IT, particularly in relation to physician practice in the community setting.


Brigitte Mettler
Doctors Technology Office (DTO)
EMR Vendor & Project Liaison Lead
Doctors of BC
Cell/Text 250 877 1412
bmettler@doctorsofbc.ca

Suboxone Physician E-Mentor Initative

The Shared Care Substance Use Project Team is excited to announce the launch of the Suboxone Physician E-Mentor Initiative.  Nanaimo physicians specializing in addictions are pleased to offer support to their family physician colleagues who may be new to, or have an interest in prescribing Suboxone. 

The service is a dedicated helpline to which physicians can text questions they may have re: Suboxone prescribing (or any other related queries). A mentor will respond via telephone within four hours.

See video at https://divisionsbc.ca/nanaimo/pic

Oceanside Locums

We have a number of locums working in the Oceanside area, and they are booking up for 2017!  Please submit your locum requests to Sharon Todd to ensure you get coverage for your practice ASAP.

You can check out the current locum listings on our website!

New Palliative Care Physician Support in Oceanside

We are very pleased to welcome a new Palliative Care Physician to support the Oceanside community, Dr Marie Clare Hopwood! She has been working with Dr van der Weyde and Kelly Weber on our Palliative Care Consultation team supporting the home care team, providing in home consultation service, consults within the symptom clinic and Hospice at Trillium Lodge. 

If you would be interested in attending a Palliative care evening or meeting, please register your interest with Amber Hanscomb, Oceanside Division of Family Practice Administrative Assistant.

Jill Gerke, M.A.

Island Manager, Palliative & End of Life Care Program

MAiD 2017 National Conference

CAMAP's National Conference on Medical Assistance in Dying
June 2 - 3 in Victoria, BC
Registration is Open!

A year after the law has changed:
What has worked?

What obstacles remain?

How can we provide the best standards of medical practice in the field?

What's happening across the country and how can we
support each other?

MAiD2017 showcases leaders in the field, offers CME credits, and is approved by some jurisdictions to qualify attendees to apply for MAiD privileges.  MAiD2017 is not open to the public but  welcomes anyone involved in administering or supporting the work of Medical Assistance in Dying.  

Register Now

See Program

We have secured a promotional discount from Air Canada and are holding a block of rooms at a reduced rate at the Hotel Grand Pacific Book Venue & Transportation  

Book Transport

Questions: camapMAiD2017@gmail.com

Dementia Related Responsive Behaviours - A Workshop for Physicians

Physicians who care for patients with dementia in residential or community settings are invited to a free workshop to learn about P.I.E.C.E.S. – a care model for those who have the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which is being introduced into all care homes in BC.

Workshop participants will gain a better understanding of the causes of dementia-related responsive behaviours, and learn how to develop person-centred care plans in inter-professional teams. They will also join an exciting conversation about opportunities to work together to improve care in residential care homes across BC.

Date & Time
March 17, 2017; 1000 – 1530 (Registration will start at 0930)

Location and Compensation
201- 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC.
Travel expenses up to $500 will be reimbursed by the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council. Participants will receive one hour sessional compensation (current PMA rate) to also participate in a discussion about priorities and opportunities for quality improvement work in residential care.

CME Accreditation
This workshop is eligible for up to 3.75 Mainpro M1 credits of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and up to 3.75 Maintenance of Certification Section 1 credits of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Learn More & Register
For more information about P.I.E.C.E.S. and the workshop’s learning objectives, and to register, visit our website.

The workshop is hosted by the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council as part of their support for CLeAR – the Call for Less Antipsychotics for Residential Care that has supported 85 care homes across British Columbia to reduce antipsychotic use through evidence-based management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

For more information, contact 250.830.3734 or tfitzgerald@bcpsqc.ca

Rural JSC funding available for physicians attending Rural Locum Forum

The Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC) is pleased to announce funding for physicians and/or UBC 2nd Year (R2) Family Practice Residents, who are providing – or considering to provide – locum services in rural BC communities to attend the Rural Locum Forum to be held in Nanaimo on February 25, 2017.

The following financial support will be provided to physicians who attend the Forum in return for a commitment to provide a minimum of 20 days locum service through the Rural GP, Specialist, or Anesthesia Locum Program within the next 12 months; the JSC will provide reimbursement for:

·         Rural Locum Forum registration;
·         Course costs for ACLS and/or The CARE Course;
·         Up to $200/day for accommodation, airfare/ ferry/ mileage.

All physicians who currently provide locum services in rural BC and all physicians who are considering providing locum services in rural BC communities are encouraged to attend this conference and take advantage of these courses being provided on a no cost basis. You will find this training will provide the skills and knowledge necessary to confidently provide locum services in rural BC communities.

For further information on this opportunity, and general information on the Forum, please contact:
Ella Fund-Reznicek
Senior Program Assistant, Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc)
E:  efundreznicek@rccbc.ca     |   T: 604 738 8222

Run to Quit

What is Run to Quit?

Run to Quit is an effective tobacco cessation program that pairs the quit smoking expertise of the Canadian Cancer Society with the Running Room’s Learn to Walk or Run 5 km clinics. Participants are supported by a Quit Coach through a gradual 10-week Learn-to-Run clinic in combination with evidence-based smoking cessation strategies.

As Running Room founder John Stanton explains, Run to Quit is suitable for non-runners and people with any level of fitness. Non-smokers are also invited to join and support someone who is participating in the program.

Run to Quit is offered both in-store and online. In-store clinics at select Running Room locations (Victoria, Nanaimo, Lower Mainland and Kelowna) will begin in April 2017.

Why promote Run to Quit?

Because it works! Run to Quit participants are 7x more likely to successfully quit smoking than those who try to quit cold turkey. Exercise reduces cravings, helps manage withdrawal symptoms and inspires people to be healthier. By choosing to champion Run to Quit you are helping people access proven quit smoking resources. An added bonus for participants is the chance to win cash prizes!

How to promote Run to Quit

If you are interested in spreading the word about Run to Quit, please contact me to learn more about the program and discuss the ready–made promotional tools available, including on-site presentations, social media, digital files and print material. More information about Run to Quit can be found on the website: runtoquit.com.  

Together we can help people achieve healthier and smoke-free lives!

RX FOR HEALTH

Rx for Health: Prescription pads will be coming soon. Rx pads will be available for any Doctor or Nurse Practitioner that is interested prescribing clients physical activity as part of a wellness plan.

This will include a $40 certificate available for registration in a RDN Recreation and Parks Program. Programs include: seated fitness, gentle cardio, strength and stretch, after school drop-in gym, gymnastics, children and youth art classes, etc.  This
is a pilot project with funding from the Island Health Community Wellness Grant.

Health and Recreation Wellness Talks: Funding is available for wellness seminars hosted in partnership with Health Care professionals. Topics will be developed as needed but may
include: diabetes, obesity, fall prevention, family physical activity, healthy eating, etc.

Grade 5 Active Living Cards: All grade 5 students in district 69 are eligible for a free Active Living Card that can be used for unlimited drop-in gym, skate and swim sessions from Sep 1
-Aug 31 of their grade 5 year.

Grade 6 Active Living Pass: All grade 6 students in district 69 are eligible for a free 10 x Active living Pass that can be used at drop-in gym, skate and swim sessions from Sep 1-Aug
31 of their grade 6 year.

Free Admissions: Children 3 years and under and adults 80 years of better receive free admission at Oceanside Place Arena and Ravensong Aquatic Centre, drop-in sessions.

Financial Assistance Program: RDN Recreation and Parks works with the Society of Organized Services to provide financial assistance for low-income residents who live in
District 69.

For more information on these programs including Rx pads, posters, flyers for clinics or developing seminars, please contact Jenn Hopewell, Recreation Programmer with RDN
Recreation and Parks 250-248-3252, Jhopewell@rdn.bc.ca

Videos to improve your access to patient information

Overview of all four new features (8 mins):

 https://youtu.be/0LXfF-vAMIs

Accessing Power Chart with One Click (3 mins): https://youtu.be/LbzLq8bQtDk

Find a patient's primary care provider and contact information (1min): https://youtu.be/yEHXDfKx6Z4

Viewing the images while in a diagnostic imaging report (2 mins): https://youtu.be/WlmzMYmWg8k

Medical Imaging Wait Times (3 mins): https://youtu.be/YQO542b5gfA

College of Physicians and Surgeons Notification of Bylaw Amendment – Methadone Maintenance Program

Re: Methadone Maintenance Program – sections 1-19 and 9-3 of the Bylaws made under the Health Professions Act, RSBC 1996, c.183 – seeking to repeal

Dear registrant,
As was announced by Minister Terry Lake last September, the Ministry of Health has established a new BC Centre for Substance Use (BCCSU) to link provincial opioid substitution treatment educational efforts to academia and clinical research, and to leverage networks of regional health authority practitioners, family physicians, and recovery service providers to address the current opioid crisis. Today, Minister Lake announced $5 million of additional funding for the BCCSU, as well as new clinical guidelines that will come into effect on June 5, 2017, replacing the College's existing Methadone and Buprenorphine: Clinical Practice Guideline for Opioid Use Disorder.

With the establishment of the BCCSU, most components of the College's current methadone program will transition to the centre, including authorizing exemptions to physicians who wish to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder under section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The BCCSU will assume full responsibility of the program on June 5, 2017.

This transition will allow the College to focus its efforts on the enhanced monitoring of all prescriptions for medications that pose challenges to patient safety. The College will continue to recommend to the federal minister of health authorizations to physicians who wish to prescribe methadone for analgesic purposes, and provide duplicate prescription pads through its usual ordering process.

Note: Until the BCCSU's clinical guideline comes into effect and the full transfer of responsibilities is complete on June 5, 2017, prescribers must continue to obtain exemptions to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder from the College, and refer to the College's practice guideline.

To enable this change, the College is seeking to repeal the existing sections of the Bylaws that direct the Methadone Maintenance Program and has commenced this process by posting the proposed amendments on its website here. The Bylaw amendments have been posted for notification, giving College registrants and other interested parties the opportunity to review and comment by March 27, 2017.
Comments can be submitted to the following:

College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia
Attention: Registrar and CEO
Email: MMPbylaws@cpsbc.ca
Fax: 604-733-3503
BC Ministry of Health
Attention: Executive Director, Professional Regulation and Oversight
Email: PROREGADMIN@gov.bc.ca

Oceanside Video Goes Viral!

Mnay of you may have seen the recruitment video created for the Oceanside Division of Family Practice at our AGM, but did you know that it actually went viral around Oceanside this month?  It received upwards of 5,000 views in the space of a few days after being widely shared out on social media - who knows who might see it?   Please feel free to share the video far and wide - we're vey proud of it!

https://youtu.be/SBaEN0Aald8

Divisions in the News

See what is going on in other divisions around BC:

https://www.divisionsbc.ca/provincial/inthenews