July

Twelve exceptional BC health professionals (including 10 physicians) have been funded in the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research’s (MSFHR) second Health Professional-Investigator (HP-I) competition. Each will receive funding to support research focused on answering questions derived from their practical experience and clinical expertise.

With an aging population and a rising prevalence of chronic disease, health authorities are looking outside the box to leverage technology and existing clinical resources to provide additional care options for patients. Island Health’s Home Health Monitoring (HHM) solution is a form of remote patient monitoring currently offered for Island Health patients with heart failure or COPD. Patients can be referred through a physician, nurse, family member, or they can self-refer. Once enrolled, patients receive a tablet, blood pressure cuff, oximeter, and weight scale to use in their home.

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.

Each year Doctors of BC presents two scholarships to children of Doctors of BC members who display outstanding scholastic achievement, remarkable volunteer contributions, and well-rounded extracurricular interests. Each recipient receives $1000 toward postsecondary education. Winners are selected by Doctors of BC committee members through an anonymous process.

This year’s winners were selected from a group of applicants who all possessed a well-balanced list of academic, extracurricular, and volunteer achievements.

Doctors of BC members attended the 2018 annual general meeting on 2 June 2018 at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre on the UBC campus. The day started with the SGP AGM, followed by the Doctors of BC AGM with an address by the CMA past president, Dr Granger Avery.