Doctors of BC has made it a priority to help physicians improve their involvement and influence in our health system. Members have repeatedly told us this was an issue of great importance to them. 

Between the Divisions of Family Practice and the facility-engagement initiative, we’ve provided avenues for physicians to collaborate with and influence health authorities—avenues that do not exist anywhere else in Canada. Achieved through the Physician Master Agreement negotiations, we now have structures that can or will include all general practitioners and facility-based physicians (including specialists with privileges who have offices in the community) in the province. Opportunities for engagement that apply to nonfacility-based specialist physicians are also available through the Shared Care Committee, whose mandate is to improve the flow of patient care between primary and specialty services. These initiatives support the vast majority of our members.

There is more work to do. We will continue to work with our members, the Ministry of Health, and health authorities to refine our engagement structures to ensure that all physicians, including community-based specialists without hospital privileges, can be supported to engage more effectively with their health authorities and their colleagues.
—Charles Webb, MBChB
Doctors of BC President