In the November 2015 President’s Comment, Dr Webb states that the 2014 Physician Master Agreement includes a “facility-based physician initiative” that “offers us a unique opportunity to engage with health authorities” [BCMJ 2015;57:379 [3]]. I agree wholeheartedly that this is an important advance, but I would encourage Doctors of BC to endeavor to make this initiative inclusive of office-based physicians such as dermatologists, allergists, etc., as well. 

The Divisions of Family Practice have done a wealth of good for GPs, as former Doctors of BC President Bill Cavers acknowledged in a President’s Comment (“Specialists are due their own renaissance” [BCMJ 2014;56:319 [12]]), not to mention the GP Services Committee, but Dr Cavers called for a renaissance for “specialists and facility-based physicians,” not just the latter. Indeed, the Specialist Services Committee has overwhelmingly supported facility-based physicians alone.

Our section, and I am most certain others as well, would appreciate a voiced commitment from the president and Doctors of BC Board to this end, followed by visible and tangible action.

Nonfacility-based physicians deserve it and our patients expect no less.
—Evert Tuyp, MD, FRCPC
President, BC Section of Dermatology