Our Projects Committee was the focus of VPSA’s May Lunch and Learn session. Committee member Dr. Nicholas Lenskyj emphasized that he and other members are eager for VPSA physicians to apply for Small Steps, Big Idea funding for their projects. The group has tried to make the application process as simple as possible. It starts with a letter of intent to which committee members provide feedback. Physicians who are encouraged to move forward with an application receive sessional funding for their time and the committee provides support and suggestions. Funding ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 per project.
Dr. Lenskyj then introduced Dr. Nori MacGowan, Medical Director for the VC Palliative Care Program, and Dr. Lynn Straatman, Interim Medical Coordinator, VC Palliative Care Program, to talk about their project: Improving Access to Community Palliative Care for Unattached Patients. The project’s goal was to develop a short-term integrated model of palliative and primary care. Dr. MacGowan spoke to her team’s experience working on a Small Steps, Big Idea project, which had been inspired by a patient who did not have a primary care doctor.
Her team was able to use VPSA funding for focus groups that identified barriers and challenges to creating a new model of palliative care. There was widespread interest in the idea, and, with initial results under their belt, the team answered a Doctors of BC expression of interest and received an additional $25,000 grant. This, in turn, led to a $145,000 grant from the VGH + UBC Hospital Foundation to hire a nurse practitioner for a one-year pilot. The project team has recently applied for further Doctors of BC funding.
The funding created a real culture shift in how unattached patients access palliative care and lit a significant spark among team members to see change happen. Dr. MacGowan pointed out how the Small Steps, Big Idea funding got the ball rolling. The program now has a full schedule of residents who are undertaking research projects, the team has made multiple presentations at provincial and national conferences, and the project has developed members’ leadership skills.
While this particular project demonstrates how an idea can make massive change with VPSA seed funding, Dr. Lenskyj stressed that not all Small Steps, Big Idea project are expected to have such a large impact. No matter your idea, VPSA’s Project Committee wants to hear from you.
VPSA offers Lunch and Learn sessions on the third Friday of every month. Attend either in person in the VMDAS Hub for Engagement at VGH or online. Representatives from each of our task groups and committees offer short (20-30 minute) presentations about their latest initiatives and opportunities. Next up: the Engaging Physicians in Indigenous Cultural Safety Task Group on June 21. This is National Indigenous Peoples Day and committee member Dr. Jay Slater will share EPIC’s accomplishments and talk about its future direction. Keep your eye out for your weekly Checkup newsletter for registration details.