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March 23, 2021
In this issue:
- COVID-19 updates
- Fees and billing
- GPSC
- Doctors of BC
- Practice supports
- Health care partners
- In case you missed it
COVID-19 UPDATES
Materials added to Doctors of BC vaccine toolkit for physicians
New printable handouts and posters have been added to the Doctors of BC COVID-19 vaccine office toolkit to support doctors in their practice and in their conversations with patients about vaccinations. Newly posted items include:
- Handout: Eight myths and facts about the vaccine.
- Poster: #KeepGoingBC – There’s light at the end of the tunnel.
- Toolkits and translated materials from BC health authorities.
The toolkit is updated as new products become available. If you have content suggestions, please contact covid19@doctorsofbc.ca.
UBC Primary Care COVID-19 Immunization Support Toolkit
The University of British Columbia’s Primary Care Innovation Support Unit, with input from stakeholders across Canada, launched their Primary Care COVID-19 Immunization Toolkit. Offering practical guidance for informing and engaging patients, planning immunization clinics, and considerations for followup, the toolkit is useful for all primary care offices and teams – even those not yet providing immunizations.
Access the toolkit at covidtoolkit.ca.
COVID-19 pediatric resource from BCCDC
A new one-page summary from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) highlights the pediatric clinical and family resources available to treat and support children with COVID-19:
March 31 webinar: Expert Q&A with public health, vaccine, epidemiology, and lab specialists
Part of the University of BC’s Continuing Professional Development COVID-19 webinar series, this accredited online session features a panel of public health leaders and experts sharing their experiences and recommending best practices in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions during the Q&A section.
“Expert Q&A with Public Health, Vaccine, Epidemiology and Lab Specialists.” Wednesday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. PT.
- More details and registration link (no cost).
March 23 webinar: Use of AstraZeneca vaccine
This Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) webinar discusses recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on the use of AstraZeneca vaccine. Topics include vaccine characteristics, clinical evidence, and handling/administration.
“Recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.” Tuesday, March 23 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. PT.
- More details and registration link (no cost).
FEES AND BILLING
New GPSC grant supports doctors joining group family practices
The GPSC has introduced a new grant to help cover expenses incurred when family doctors join or form a new or expanded group practice. The Group Family Practice Development Grant, which provides up to $30,000 per physician, addresses feedback from family doctors that significant expenditures of closing and/or merging offices are holding them back from forming or consolidating group practices.
Visit the GPSC website to learn more about eligibility, covered expenses, and how to apply.
If you have questions about the grant or eligibility, please contact gpsc.billing@doctorsofbc.ca.
Doctors: Are you receiving your Business Cost Premium payments?
Doctors of BC encourages eligible, community-based doctors to confirm they are receiving the Business Cost Premium (BCP). The BCP provides a percentage premium on MSP fees for in-person consultation, visits, counselling, and complete examination services to help cover the rising rent, lease, or ownership costs of a community-based office.
For information on eligibility, how to apply, and steps to ensure you are receiving your payments, visit the Doctors of BC website.
GPSC
Improving support for panel management
Based on family doctor feedback, the GPSC is improving the panel management process to streamline the experience, enable better outcomes, and enhance physician satisfaction. The improvements include:
- Assigning a Practice Support Program (PSP) regional coach to work directly with family doctors and guide their teams through the phases of panel management.
- Creating a more equitable payment structure based on sessional payments, including a $3,000 bonus upon completion.
- Decreasing administrative work by removing the patient medical home (PMH) assessment and workbook submission requirements.
For further details please see the GPSC website. If you have any questions, please email panel.incentive@doctorsofbc.ca
GPSC meeting summary February 2021
The February 2021 GPSC meeting summary is now available, with key highlights including:
- GPSC workshop: Contribution of primary care to the provincial COVID-19 immunization plan.
- Group family practice development grant.
- In Plain Sight report.
Divisions communications survey results and upcoming changes
Thank you to everyone who responded to the communications survey in the February 8 issue of Divisions Dispatch. We appreciate your time and your feedback to help us refine and improve our communications.
From the survey results, we learned that recipients value Divisions Dispatch and that most share the newsletter, or portions of it, with their members. The most popular topics are:
- Updates from the GPSC, Doctors of BC, Ministry of Health.
- Primary Care Network (PCN) updates.
We also learned that divisions would like us to:
- Send Divisions Dispatch early in the week and early in the morning.
- Combine operational emails and send less frequently (rather than individual emails for each topic).
Look for these changes in the coming months:
- Divisions Dispatch arriving at 6 a.m. on alternating Tuesdays.
- Fewer emails. Multiple messages bundled into weekly emails whenever possible.
- Improved Divisions Dispatch navigation and appearance including a new clickable table of contents and images where feasible.
We welcome your feedback at any time. If you have any feedback, please contact Jennifer Killam (jkillam@doctorsofbc.ca).
April 12/13 webinar: Using data to improve care for patients with respiratory disease
This Health Data Coalition (HDC) webinar discusses the HDC Discover application and how data can assist with proactive respiratory disease care. Participants are eligible for 1 MAINPRO+ Group Learning Credit. HDC is funded by the GPSC.
“Using data for proactive care of populations at risk of respiratory disease.” Session is offered on two dates:
- Monday, April 12. 12-1 p.m. PT.
- Tuesday, April 13, 1-2 p.m. PT.
- More information and registration (no cost).
DOCTORS OF BC
Doctors of BC seeking feedback on: Illicit drug overdoses, diversity and inclusion, physician employment models
Doctors of BC is committed to engaging with our members about policy topics important to the profession. Between March 15 and 28, Doctors of BC wants to hear from physicians on three topics via our online member engagement platform:
- Illicit drug overdoses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Possible policy approaches to addressing BC’s increasing rate of overdose deaths, including decriminalization and access to safer alternatives to street drugs.
- Diversity and inclusion. Working with recommendations from the barrier assessment report, Doctors of BC’s Advisory Working Group is developing a vision statement to reflect the rich diversity of our organization and membership.
- Employment models. BC doctors can choose to work as employees of corporate/privately owned clinics. What factors should doctors consider before taking this step? Is Doctors of BC focusing on the right areas in developing guidance documents for members?
For more details and to participate, please visit the Doctors of BC website: Give us your thoughts on three topics important to the profession.
Discussions close on Sunday, March 28.
For further questions, please contact policyandplanning@doctorsofbc.ca.
Meet Doctors of BC President, Dr Matthew Chow
Members of divisions of family practice, medical staff associations (MSAs), and other physician groups face many challenges as we move into the vaccination phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The practice and delivery of primary care is also changing.
Dr Matthew Chow, president of Doctors of BC, would like to hear your concerns and answer your questions – about the vaccination phase of COVID-19, how you will care for your patients post-pandemic, or anything else on your mind.
If divisions have upcoming meetings they would like Dr Chow to attend (virtually), please email Jessica Cavers (jcavers@doctorsofbc.ca).
Walk with Your Doc postponed to fall 2021
With spring around the corner, many BC doctors are starting to think about planning for the popular Walk with your Doc, a series of walks held around the province encouraging patients to be more active and adopt a healthier lifestyle. This year, the Doctors of BC-led campaign will be postponed to late summer/early fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic and provincial mass vaccination roll-out.
The new date and registration details will be posted on the Walk with your Doc website in the near future. We look forward to another successful campaign later this year.
For questions, please contact Patrick Higgins (phiggins@doctorsofbc.ca).
PRACTICE SUPPORTS
How can pregnant patients access public and community health services?
Doctors and other health care professionals can refer prenatal and pregnant patients to public and community health services that offer a range of supports including preventative health screening, health promotion, access to evidence-based resources, and followup with health-related social needs. Referrals can be made by phone, fax, or online. Patients can also self-refer for some services.
Visit the Doctors of BC website for more information, including contact information for each health authority: How pregnant patients can access public and community health services.
Free resources and supports for family caregivers
Family Caregivers of BC (FCBC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting family and friend caregivers. FCBC offers a variety of services and resources to divisions of family practice at no cost, including:
- Webinar: “Strategies for strengthening communication with family caregivers.” March 26 from 10:00-10:45 a.m. PT. Registration link.
- Printed information to share with family caregivers.
- Helping create processes for division doctors to connect family caregivers to outreach and support services offered by Family Caregivers of BC.
Divisions who would like to arrange their own workshop, or need more information about FCBC’s supports, can visit the Family Caregivers of BC website or contact caregiverrx@familycaregiversbc.ca.
The Thrive program, run in association with the BC Centre on Substance Use and UBC’s Department of Family Practice, offers supports to family and friend caregivers who care, without pay, for seniors who use alcohol or substances (including prescribed substances or medications). Supports offered at no-cost include:
- Virtual support group to help caregivers feel connected and understood. Runs in April 2021 for four consecutive weeks.
- Downloadable information posters to display in office waiting rooms.
To access Thrive’s resources, or for more information, contact Michee-Ana Hamilton (michee.hamilton@ubc.ca, 236 335-5793).
HEALTH CARE PARTNERS
Doctors invited to participate in BC Guidelines External Review
Three BC guidelines are in external review and doctors are invited to submit their input via the BC Guidelines external review page.
- High ferritin – Investigation and management. Open until March 31, 2021.
- Suspected lung cancer in primary care. Open until April 9, 2021.
- Cataract – Treatment of adults. Open until April 9, 2021.
Visit the BC Guidelines external review page to download the draft guidelines and submit feedback.
Introduction to the physician medical home
BC Family Doctors created the physician medical home framework to identify the needs of physicians.
The framework includes six levels, each one identifying a specific need of doctors as human beings, workers, and health care leaders. It describes a working environment that allows physicians to provide optimal patient care and to create a sustainable primary care system. The framework complements the patient medical home, recognizing the combined needs of patients and physicians.
Read more about the physician medical home concept at BCFamilyDocs.ca.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Information from the divisions provincial office
Since March 9, we have emailed you about:
- March 15 GPSC Special Update: New GPSC grant supports for doctors to form group family practices.
- Webinar: Interior physician recruitment and retention.
- Update to executive directors: GPSC meeting debrief and insurance benefits.
If you missed these, please contact Joanna Richards (jrichards@doctorsofbc.ca).
DIVISIONS IN THE NEWS
Click here to read the latest news about Divisions of Family Practice in the media.
The provincial communications team produces a twice-monthly newsletter designed to keep divisions up-to-date with the Divisions initiative. It is sent to local division executive directors, administration, physician leads, and board members. In order to minimize emails being sent these groups, we try to include as much in these newsletters as possible. We encourage you to share it with your division members at large. If you have a story you would like to submit for consideration, please contact Jeff Chan at jchan@doctorsofbc.ca.
Media coverage is monitored by the Divisions of Family Practice provincial communications team and compiled on the Divisions in the News page.
This issue can also be found on the Divisions of Family Practice website.
