BC College of Family Physicians

We are pleased to present the 2019/2020 BCCFP Annual Report. This Annual Report reflects our ongoing theme: My Family Doctor Cares. We celebrate all the ways in which you have shown care throughout the year, from implementing innovative community projects, to practising cultural humility, adapting to the pandemic, and more. It has been an extraordinary year for family medicine and for the BCCFP. We hope you enjoy reading about the work of your colleagues around the province.... https://bccfp.bc.ca//10/BCCFP-2020-Annual-Report-mobile.pdf

Tomorrow, September 30, is Orange Shirt Day. On this day, we commemorate the residential school experience, witness the healing journey of survivors and their families, and commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. Acknowledgement and understanding of the residential school experience is essential to providing culturally safe and humble care to Indigenous patients. Read more for resources to guide you in supporting Orange Shirt Day: https://bccfp.bc.ca/about-//orange-shirt-day-september-30/

Upcoming webinar: Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines Updates with Dr. Ali Zentner on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 pm PDT. In this one-hour webinar, Dr. Zentner will provide an overview of the new Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for Obesity, helping us to better understand the approach to obesity in clinical practice. Dr. Zentner will guide attendees in developing key tools to use in everyday practice (especially with telemedicine) to engage in a conversation with patients about obesity. Find out more and register: https://bccfp.bc.ca//family-medicine-conference-bonus-web/

We're excited to share the lineup for the 2020 Family Medicine Conference on October 9! This year’s conference explores how we can work Together Towards a Better Future. Diverse plenary sessions and breakout sessions will support family physicians across the province in caring for the whole person and caring for themselves. You will have the option to tailor your experience to your interests, from climate change, to maternity care, to grief management and more. View the full lineup and register today at https://bccfp.bc.ca/family-medicine-conference-2020/

Evidence shows that an ongoing relationship with a family doctor leads to better health outcomes. www.myfamilydoctorcares.ca provides info and advice on making virtual appointments with your family doctor. #myfamilydoctorcares

Dr. Mark Szynkaruk of Grand Forks is one of the recipients of this year's patient-nominated My Family Doctor Awards. He was featured in the Grand Forks Gazette this week, sharing his experience of working in a rural town and making a difference to the small community.

Today is BC Family Doctor Day! This is our annual opportunity to recognize the work of more than 6,000 family doctors who practise in communities across our province. Your first point of contact with the health care system, family doctors are experts in diagnosing and treating the whole person. Family doctors care for patients in the office, the hospital, other health care facilities or the patient’s home. They also provide care via phone and video appointments in response to the COVID-19 physical distancing guidelines. We also wish to acknowledge and thank allied health care workers across British Columbia for their extraordinary efforts in response to COVID-19. Join us in celebrating family doctors today.

Thank you to the 300 British Columbians who took the time to nominate their family doctor for the My Family Doctor Awards. We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 BCCFP awards:

Whether you have a new or ongoing health issue or question, you can make an appointment to see your family doctor by video call, phone call or in-person where necessary. Taking care of your long-term health has never been more important. Here are some tips on how prepare for a video or phone call appointment. #myfamilydoctorcares https://bccfp.bc.ca//Preparing-for-a-virtual-appointment-B

Taking care of your health has never been more important. Family doctors are ready and available to see you safely by phone, video or in-person where needed. Call your family doctor's office to make an appointment. #myfamilydoctorcares

Your family doctor is IN. Whether it's for a new or chronic condition, a question about your health, or for mental health support, your family doctor wants to see you through phone, video or in-person as needed. Give your family doctor a call. www.myfamilydoctorcares.ca

Whether you have a new or ongoing health issue or question, your family doctor wants to see you. Here are some tips on how to book an appointment with your doctor, and how to prepare for a video or phone call appointment: https://bccfp.bc.ca//Preparing-for-a-virtual-appointment-B #myfamilydoctorcares

Your family doctor is IN. Our My Family Doctor Cares campaign highlights options for continuing the relationship with your family doctor throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, whether by phone, video call or in person. Keeping you healthy has never been more important. www.myfamilydoctorcares.ca

BCCFP Vice President Dr. Marjorie Docherty provided guidance on maintaining physical and mental health during the pandemic at last week's Kelowna-Lake Country virtual town hall. Watch the recording here for some invaluable advice.

In yesterday's press conference, Dr. Bonnie Henry told the public: I encourage you to connect with your family physician the people who know you best and know your condition best during this time. We would like to thank Dr. Henry for sparing her extremely valuable time this week to meet with BCCFP President Dr. Jeanette Boyd via phone call, and for reminding British Columbians to continue seeking care from their family physicians.

The BCCFP has compiled COVID-19 information links for health care professionals and the public on our website: https://bccfp.bc.ca/covid-19/ This includes our 'simple messages' infographic, which shares advice on how to keep safe, as well as what to do if you are experiencing symptoms.

The B.C. government has launched a COVID-19 support app to help provide residents with the latest information on the ongoing pandemic. The app includes a self-assessment tool to determine whether you should be tested. The tool is also available as a website.

The BCCFP provides a COVID-19 'simple messages' infographic, which shares advice on how to keep safe, as well as what to do if you are experiencing symptoms. The infographic can be viewed and downloaded here: https://bccfp.bc.ca//uploads/2020/03/BCCFP_Covid19_Infogra

Of British Columbians with a family doctor, over half rate their overall experience as a patient in the healthcare system between 8 and 10, where 10 represents excellent. Only a third of people who use a walk-in clinic rate their experience the same way. Family doctors are advocating for improved access to the ongoing care that patients want, and that evidence shows is most effective. Learn more at www.MyFamilyDoctorCares.ca

Family doctors do more than diagnose and treat illness. We celebrate. We listen. We care. www.MyFamilyDoctorCares.ca is raising awareness of the importance of having a family doctor, and is calling on government to improve access to the ongoing care that patients want, and that evidence shows is most effective.

Evidence shows that an ongoing relationship with a family doctor leads to better health outcomes. Yet close to 700,000 British Columbians don’t have access to a family doctor. Take two minutes to send a message to your Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) about the need for improved access to family doctors in BC: https://bccfp.bc.ca/myfamilydoctorcares/#contactyourMLA Our template allows you to make your voice heard in just a few clicks. Join BC family doctors in advocating for improved access to the ongoing care that patients want, and that evidence shows is most effective.