June 2018
A partnership of Doctors of BC and Ministry of Health
What's New
Activities and actions of SSC
Find out more about the work of the SSC Committee:
- New Co-Chair Report available here
- The Wrap: SSC meeting summaries – latest edition here.
- SSC Annual Report 2017-2018 available here
- Latest update on physician engagement available here
PQI transforming systems and physicians
Quality improvement is key to working within any medical system, which is why SSC’s Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) initiative is spreading across all BC health authorities. In the past year, 509 physicians were trained through PQI and 144 QI projects were supported.
Physicians are highly trained, but their training often lacks a focus on the systems they work within. PQI melds physician training to provide care to patients with training on how to make systemic changes that aid in improving that care.
Recognition is the first step
As our seniors’ population grows, so does the prevalence of dementia. Dementia impairs cognitive function and can be the result of many diseases - the most common being Alzheimer’s Disease. Recognizing early the symptoms, and providing appropriate and timely care is a crucial part of Drs Peter O'Connor and Leena Jain’s enhanced approach to dementia care – which launched in Fraser Health in 2015 with funding from the Specialist Services Committee (SSC) Quality & Innovation initiative.
Dr Julian Sernik - orthopedic surgeon
At the age of 20, Dr Julian Sernik decided to leave his hometown of Sydney, Australia for a year-long skiing holiday in Banff, Alberta, a town known for its winter sports and ski resorts. Little did he know that 18 years later he would be living in Cranbrook, BC along with his family of four, practicing medicine and working towards improving BC’s health system.
New SSC brochure
A new brochure has been developed to help physicians know what supports are available through SSC - see new brochure.
New look for BC Medical Journal website
The BC Medical Journal's website has been redesigned to make it easier to find and view information - come and have a look here.
New Rapid Access Spine Triage Program at VGH
The Rapid Access Spine Triage Program at the Brenda and David McLean Integrated Spine Clinic is a new service for patients with non-emergent spinal complaints. Working with medical practitioners and spine surgeons, senior advanced practice physiotherapists with spine-specific advanced training conduct clinical assessments and triage patients who need to see a surgeon. Referring physicians receive a detailed report, and patients requiring a surgical consultation are booked on an expedited basis. To refer a patient, use the referral form here.
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News from other Joint Collaborative Committees
GPSC-GP Update
Provincial Divisions newsletter - Divisions Dispatch
Shared Care – The Link
JSC - RCCbc's BC Rural Update
About Us
SSC is one of four joint collaborative committees that represent a partnership of Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health. Formed in 2006 under the Physician Master Agreement to help the Doctors of BC, BC government and health authorities collaborate on the delivery of specialist services and support improvement of the specialist care system in BC.
Physician engagement is the cornerstone of SSC’s work. Sharing your knowledge is important - if you have stories to tell, information to share or feedback to give, please send us an email: sscbc@doctorsofbc.ca