On February 25th 2020 general and specialist physicians, allied health professionals, and others interested in promoting engagement and quality improvement in health gathered in Vancouver for the Joint Collaborative Committees’ “Creating Connections for Health” conference. The event was an opportunity to showcase numerous examples of how physicians, community organizations, and health authorities have worked together to improve patients’ experiences of care in British Columbia.
South Island Medical Staff Association supported 6 physician presentations at the event. Dr. Rikus de Lange’s storyboard presentation featured his work developing the Point of Care Ultrasound Service among the Hospitalists in Victoria. Dr. Jan Lim’s storyboard highlighted his pilot project to diagnose and treat skin cancer among the institutionalized elderly in Victoria. Dr. John Samphire’s storyboard showed the process of developing the Vancouver Island Thoracic Surgery Oncology Referral Program, a pathway for expedited follow up of abnormal CT scans of the lungs.
Three physicians presented their work in both storyboard and rapid fire presentations. Dr. Ken Smith spoke candidly and from the heart about his involvement in the Vested process, a relationship-building approach to resolving contractual disputes. Having been one of the hospitalist physicians deeply involved in discussions with Island Health during the 2014/2015 negotiations, he brought in-depth knowledge about the rewards of undertaking this novel process. He faced many questions in the discussion period from physicians from other jurisdictions, hoping to benefit in their own conflict resolution processes.
Dr. Jennifer Balfour spoke about the importance of aligning one’s priorities with others’ in her description of the creation of the Urgent Pediatric Access Clinic (UPAC) at VGH. In a session sub-titled “Collaborative Solutions”, she highlighted the role of her pediatrician colleagues, the Island Medical Program, and Island Health in making the UPAC a reality that worked for everyone.
Dr. Dan Boston spoke about his work developing the Early Psychosis Order Set to standardize the treatment of first episode psychosis among patients. Drawing from direct patient experiences navigating psychosis treatment in the first year, Dr. Boston highlighted how current treatment protocols are not well serving the patients. He launched a quality improvement initiative focused on improving specific indicators for patients, and used a Facility Engagement grant to engage his colleagues in the process.
We thank the JCC and the Facility Engagement funding for the opportunity to gather with colleagues and share findings and successes!