2025 JCC Conference and FPSC Summit Call for Abstracts now open

2025 JCC Conference and FPSC Summit Call for Abstracts now open
The Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs) are inviting abstract submissions for the 2025 JCC Conference on October 6-7, 2025. The conference, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, provides an opportunity for those presenting JCC-funded projects to showcase their work alongside colleagues and partners in an engaging and creative environment.

Day 1 (Oct. 6): FPSC Summit & SSC Summit

• FPSC Summit: A showcase for "Innovations in Primary Care", focusing on creative solutions that transform challenges into opportunities. Family physicians and primary care teams will share new ideas, collaborative approaches, and success stories that drive positive change in health care
• SSC (Specialist Services Committee) Summit: An SSC-led event.

Day 2 (Oct. 7): JCC Showcase

• A showcase of projects and initiatives from all four JCCs under the theme Connect, Collaborate, Elevate.

The abstract submission form provides an option to submit an abstract for the FPSC Summit or SSC Summit on October 6 and/or the JCC Showcase on October 7. Submit your abstract.

The deadline for abstract submissions is June 1, 2025.

Visit the event page for more information about physician sessional time, presenter funding, keynote speakers, and registration. For questions, please contact events@doctorsofbc.ca.

EMR Skill Building: Billing tips & tricks

The Doctors Technology Office (DTO)’s next EMR Skill Building for Intrahealth Profile, focused on Billing Tips & Tricks, is scheduled for June 4.

These sessions will focus on various topics and are designed to help physicians and practice team members expand their expertise in using their Electronic Medical Records (EMR).

The upcoming session on Billing Tips & Tricks will cover the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) billing tool, linking service codes with procedure and diagnostic codes, configuring the Facility code, various reports, and more. Please note that basic billing workflows and reconciliation will not be covered as part of this session.

To  receive an EMR-specific invite, which includes the registration link, or be alerted to future EMR Skill Building sessions, please complete the online form to be added to the mailing list.

Extension of Inpatient Care transition supports through March 31, 2026

 Dear Family Physicians, 

FPSC has approved the extension of the Inpatient Care Transition Funding through March 31, 2026. It had previously been set to end September 30, 2025. 

This decision was made to support the provision of inpatient care services while long-term solutions continue to be developed. This new end date is intended to be the final extension of transition funding.   

FPSC is committed to recognizing the value of longitudinal family practice and the tremendous value created, especially to rural communities, when family physicians provide comprehensive care including inpatient care. 

There have been recent changes in the Ministry of Health portfolios and leadership, which resulted in membership shifts at the Primary Care Compensation Working Group (PCCWG). Consequently, the PCCWG, responsible for the development of the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model, needs time to orient new members and discuss solutions to support family physician delivery of facility-based care, including inpatient care.

We know long-term, sustainable solutions for inpatient care are important and FPSC will continue to work with Doctors of BC, BC Family Doctors, and Ministry of Health to develop solutions through the PCCWG. Building on those, implementation at the local level will require collaborative solutions from communities, Divisions of Family Practice, and Health Authorities.

We deeply appreciate your steadfast commitment to your patients, families, and communities as individuals get settled into their new roles and resume efforts focussed on the development of long-term solutions.  

Sincerely, 

Ally Butler and Dr Jaron Easterbrook, Co-Chairs, Family Practice Services Committee 

Free MAiD Education June & July sessions

Our Summer 2025 Canadian MAiD Curriculum sessions are now open for registration!

Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge or complete your training, we’ve got English and French facilitated sessions available throughout June and July.

Join expert-led, case-based sessions on topics including:

• MAiD Assessments and Provision
• Navigating Complex Cases
• Assessing Capacity & Vulnerability
• Mental Disorders and MAiD

Nurse Practitioners, NP students, medical residents, and physicians are eligible to attend and there is no cost to register.

Know someone who might be interested? Please share this opportunity with your MD or NP colleagues.

 REGISTER NOW

Spring Cultural Safety & Humility Learning Sessions

The JCCs are looking forward to the spring Community-Based Experiential Learning Sessions, hosted in collaboration with Len Pierre Consulting, and the upcoming webinar, in partnership with the University of British Columbia's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the Langley Division of Family Practice.

Webinar: Creating a Safe Space for Indigenous Patients in Primary Care

Date: June 18, 2025
Time: 6–7:30 pm

By attending this webinar, participants will be able to identify actionable steps for creating a safe space for Indigenous patients in primary care & reflect on their personal practice delivery and learning opportunities. Held in partnership with UBC CPD, 1.5 Mainpro+/MOC Section 1.

ISLH Primary Care Grand Rounds

On May 28th, Island Health will be hosting a Primary Care Grand Rounds session. We are honored to have Dr. Tracy Monk, Family Physician in Burnaby, B.C., present on the topic: “Using the Pathways Website to Streamline Care”. The session is virtual during the lunch hour. We ask that you share the attached calendar invite with your teams and strongly recommend participation in this insightful event.

Also scheduled this year we have the following sessions:

• Dr Kelsey Mills presenting on “Women’s Health in Primary Care: Menopause” on July 15th12:00 – 1:00,
• Dr. Ramm Herring & Dr. Ashley Heaslip co-presenting on “The Primary Care Role in Addition Services” on October 15th12:00 – 1:00, and
• Dr. Jeff Kerrie presenting “Adult Eating Disorders” in early September (date TBC).

Details will be updated on the Primary Care Medical Staff Calendar of Events.

If you have any questions, please contact: PCGrandRounds@islandhealth.ca

New medical imaging process to reduce physicians' administrative burdens

New recommendations for streamlining the medical imaging process in the Lower Mainland are expected to significantly reduce administrative burdens for physicians.

The recommendations call for the health authorities rather than physicians’ offices to take responsibility for managing medical imaging appointments, such as X-rays, which could support a reduction of approximately 180,000 hours of physician time each year. Three recommendations were developed by the Administrative Burdens Working Group (ABWG), which includes representatives and physicians from Doctors of BC, the Ministry of Health, health authorities, and Health Quality BC (HQBC).

Doctors of BC will ensure the physician perspective is incorporated as partners work to determine the best approach to implementation. Learn more about the recommendations and the ABWG’s work on behalf of BC doctors.

Change BC Project

Pacific Northwest physicians launch Change BC project to reverse metabolic syndrome risk factors in one-third of patients

A Change BC project, launched in 2018 by physicians from Pacific Northwest Division, has seen a reversal rate of 32%—the highest in Canada—in patients with metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes. The project is now being used throughout BC.

Thriving Together — Cultivating Joy: Releasing stories of blame and fear and activating a kinder, more loving and joyful heart

Date: June 2, 2025 | 7-8:30pm | Virtual

Join us for our next Thriving Together virtual session on June 2, 2025, hosted by the Thriving Project. Drs. Lisa Vasil and Dani Pichie will discuss on Cultivating Joy, sharing how mindfulness and intentional practices can rewire the brain and help us reconnect with joy. This free session is open to all rural healthcare providers in BC — including doctors, residents, nurse practitioners, and midwives — who serve rural communities.

Register for Thriving Together session

Dr Kevin Martin appointed to FPSC

Dr Kevin Martin is the newest Doctors of BC appointee to the Family Practice Services Committee.

A BC family physician since 2008, Dr Martin brings a variety of experiences to the role, having served in positions with the Divisions of Family Practice, Doctors of BC, University of British Columbia, BC Family Doctors, and Island Health Authority.  Dr Martin is passionate about facilitating collaboration between primary and specialist care throughout community and hospital settings.

A conversation with Dr Brenda Hefford

After more than a decade of leadership at Doctors of BC, and 20 years championing primary care in BC, Dr. Brenda Hefford has retired from her role as Vice-President, Physician Affairs and Community Practice. Dr. Hefford’s impact on BC’s primary care system has been profound. In this article, we reflect on her journey, contributions, and commitment to collaboration, equity, and system transformation.

Oceanside Hospice Society

The Oceanside Hospice Society serves individuals and families experiencing end-of-life, care-giving and bereavement in the area stretching from Deep Bay to Nanoose, and west to Errington and Whiskey Creek
We strive to provide links in the continuum of care by supporting care giving at home, in hospital or the palliative care unit at Trillium and at community care facilities.
Please contact us at 250.752.6227 or visit www.oceansidehospice.com for further information.

Divisions Dispatch

The latest news from the provincial team and complementary organizations.

Please click here for updates including:

• LFP Payment Model updates
• Webinars and continuing medical education (CME)

Divisions in the News

Divisions in the News
See what is going on in other divisions around BC:

https://divisionsbc.ca/provincial/news-and-events