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GP Update is produced by the General Practice Services Committee (GPSC), one of four joint collaborative committees that are a partnership between Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health.
The GPSC programs and initiatives strengthens full-service family practice and comprehensive patient care in BC. For more information, visit gpscbc.ca.
Features
Important changes to GPSC fees start April 1
Physicians, please be advised that there are fee changes happening that will streamline, clarify and improve rule consistency across fees. A summary of the key changes and in-depth information can be found on the GPSC website.
GPSC is hosting a webinar for family physicians on Tuesday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. to walk through the changes and answer questions. Register here.
If you have questions, please contact GPSC staff for billing support at gpsc.billing@doctorsofbc.ca.
The future of primary care: "Walking into this new system together.”
Listen to the first episode of the DocTalks podcast
Dr Matthew Chow (Doctors of BC President-Elect) hosts GPSC representatives Dr Brenda Hefford and Dr Shelley Ross on the first ever episode of DocTalks, a new podcast from Doctors of BC.
This episode focuses on the changing landscape of primary care in BC with the development of patient medical homes and primary care networks. DocTalks considers questions such as: How do PMHs and PCNs relate and work together? What do the changes mean for physicians and patients? How are we addressing the challenges that come with system-wide change?
Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts. For links to all other podcast platforms, click here.
Community Longitudinal Family Physician (CLFP) Payment
Over 3,000 family physicians have received their CLFP payment. This payment recognizes family doctors for their vital contribution in providing longitudinal care to improve outcomes for patients and the health system. Physician feedback about the CLFP payment has been largely positive, with many stating that it is an important first step to support longitudinal care and Patient Medical Homes (PMH) while acknowledging that more needs to be done.
The first round of the CLFP payment also had some challenges. GPSC is taking the opportunity to learn and address the concerns that have been raised, and to incorporate the feedback for the next payment this fall. In order to be eligible, family physicians must submit the portal code 14070, which signifies they are providing full-service family practice services to their patients for the duration of the calendar year and are confirming their doctor-patient relationships with their existing patients through a standardized conversation or “compact”.
GP Update is changing its name
We’re asking family physicians for your input on a new name for GP Update e-newsletter as we move away from the term “GP” to better reflect the role of family physicians in BC. We came up with a few name ideas, and we’d like to know your suggestions and hear your input.
To share your views, please fill out the survey or email gpsc@doctorsofbc.ca.
News
PMH Assessment tool updated to better support practices and communities
More than 2,300 family physicians have completed the GPSC’s Patient Medical Home (PMH) Assessment tool at least once since it was introduced in 2017. The tool supports physicians to transition to an integrated system of care at the community and provincial levels. Physicians must complete the assessment in order to be eligible for the Panel Development Incentive.
Based on feedback from family physicians and from local Divisions of Family Practice, the GPSC has updated the PMH Assessment tool.
As of January 24, 2020, the latest version of the PMH Assessment tool will include:
- New questions related to primary care networks.
- New questions that expand key PMH attributes.
- New optional questions specific to implementing team-based care in practices.
- More consistent and clear language, terminology and response options.
These changes aim to enhance the quality of the data collected and the user experience in completing the survey.
Learn more about the GPSC PMH Assessment tool, including available compensation and accreditation and how to get started with the Assessment.
Team-based care and information sharing webinar
The GPSC Information Sharing Task Group has developed a Team Charting Agreement (TCA) to enable information sharing in PCNs.
The Agreement establishes how care team members employed by a health authority or other organization will:
- Share information with each other for the purpose of supporting team-based care
- Provide clarity of control and custody of records that contain team charting
- Clarify roles of all parties with respect to team charting
- Require a confidentiality agreement to be signed by each care team member
All primary care practices where care team members are deployed from a health authority or other organization must sign a Team Charting Agreement.
Physicians are invited to join one of two informational webinars to learn more about the TCA – how it works and how to use it – and to ask questions. These webinars will be recorded so you can also watch them back at a later date.
To register for the webinars, click the link below:
Additional Information Sharing resources for the PCNs are available on the PCN toolkit site.
For more information, you can also email: gpscinfosharing@doctorsofbc.ca.
New Business Cost Premium payment information session
BC physicians are encouraged to attend an information webinar on Thursday, March 12 from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. about the Business Cost Premium (BCP), a new payment included in the 2019 PMA to help physicians cover the rising rent, lease, or ownership costs of community-based practices. The Business Cost Premium goes live on April 1 and participating physicians and facilities must be registered prior to this date.
The online session will cover:
- Which physicians and locations are eligible [*Please note that physicians who are eligible for the Rural Retention Premium are not eligible for the BCP].
- How to register for and use facility numbers.
- Required steps physicians must take before April 1.
- EMR requirements for submitting BCP claims.
Info session date: Thursday, March 12 from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Register online.
The session will be recorded and made available online.
More information and FAQs. For further questions, please contact dtoinfo@doctorsofbc.ca.
DTO resources: Using dictation software in medical practices
Research shows that using dictation software to prepare medical records results in more accurate, detailed, and concise documentation compared to manual data entry using a keyboard and mouse. A new resource – Using Dictation Software in Medical Practices – provides support for physicians who are in the process of adopting dictation software or considering making the transition.
A collaborative effort between the Doctors Technology Office (DTO) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC’s Physician Practice Enhancement Program, the new guide outlines important information including:
- Benefits of dictation software (with journal references).
- Types of dictation software.
- Implementation planning for practices transitioning from a manual system.
- Questions to ask dictation software vendors when deciding which dictation offering best suits your practice.
While adopting dictation software may require initial set up and ongoing subscription expenses, many practices have found the cost to be outweighed by:
- Improved patient care enabled by more accurate documentation.
- More efficient documentation process leading to long-term savings.
Practices who would like assistance with planning dictation software implementation, improving usage of their current system, or engaging with vendors are invited to contact the Doctors Technology Office at dtoinfo@doctorsofbc.ca.
Doctors Technology Office is funded by the Doctors of BC and the BC government through the General Practice Services Committee.
Save the Date: Joint Collaborative Committees Events - 2020
The Joint Collaborative Committees are excited to announce dates for the GPSC Summit, Specialist Symposium, and a new combined JCC Conference in Vancouver. The new JCC conference aims to foster collaboration between family physicians and specialists by facilitating discussions, creating connections, and bringing together partners and stakeholders. Block your calendars for the following dates and stay tuned for more information.
- GPSC Summit for family physicians: Monday, October 5
- Specialist Symposium for specialist physicians: Monday, October 5
- Joint Collaborative Committees Conference for all physicians: Tuesday, October 6
Our Impact
Readers’ Choice: Top ten stories from 2019
Readers’ Choice: GPSC 2019 is a collection of the top ten stories that were most read and shared by family physicians and divisions throughout 2019. The booklet features several stories about building an integrated system of primary and community care in BC, and ensuring family physicians feel supported in doing the work that brought them to the medical profession — the work they love to do.
All family physicians received a printed copy in the January/February edition of the BC Medical Journal. The collection is also available online.
What teams have experienced in their journey toward patient medical homes
A key step in achieving primary care change in BC communities involves taking time to reflect on challenges and learnings experienced by physicians and allied care providers who are working on the front lines, as well as the patients they care for.
A series of evaluation stories gathered recently represents different viewpoints and learnings in the delivery and receiving of care in the PMH environment. Highlights from these stories have been woven into an overview entitled “Stories of Most Significant Change,” which takes readers on a journey toward understanding how patient medical homes are removing barriers and helping to provide quality patient care around the province, as well as creating environments where physicians can do their best work.
For additional information on key evaluation activities including case studies, PMH Assessment tool, and experiences from PMH work, visit the new evaluation webpage on the GPSC site.
Meeting Summary
Click here to read GPSC meeting summaries. The February meeting summary is now posted.
Event Calendar
MARCH
- Tuesday, March 10 - Team Charting Agreement informational webinar at 12:00 p.m.
Register - Thursday, March 12 - Business Cost Premium informational webinar at 7:00 a.m.
Register - Tuesday, March 24 - GPSC Incentive Changes for April 1 webinar at 6:00 p.m.
Register - Monday, March 30 - Session 6: Case-based exercises at 6:00 p.m.
Register