Coping with uncertainty has been a huge challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is especially true for physicians who feel they are expected to be strong in the face of adversity. Developing skills to counter stress was the focus of mindfulness and other wellness sessions the VPSA offered physicians over the spring. Weekly mindfulness workshops, which were developed and led by Dr. Rahul Gupta, received glowing responses from participants. They … Read More
On and off the frontline: Photos show colleagues’ alter egos
Photography is a long-time passion of VGH anesthesiologist Dr. Cyrus McEachern. During the early days of the pandemic, he and colleague Dr. Andrea Brovender brainstormed the idea of exploring artistically how workplace stress was affecting their personal lives. The result is Behind the Mask—18 images of Dr. McEachern and his colleagues that are spliced to show them both at work and doing things they love away from the hospital. The … Read More
“Physician burnout is an occupational hazard”
Physician burnout has been recognized for over 20 years and there has been an explosion of research on the topic in the last 10. Organizations are now beginning to recognize the toll it takes on the healthcare system and the provision of care. The Canadian Medical Association appointed Dr. Caroline Gérin-Lajoie to the new position of vice president of physician health and wellness in October 2018 in part to address … Read More
VPSA celebrates the work of women physicians
In anticipation of International Women’s Day 2020, the Vancouver Physician Staff Association canvassed members for the names of women physicians who have made extraordinary contributions to the workplace. We salute all our female members and invite you to read about the women who agreed to be profiled this year. Dr. Sujaatha Narayanan Dr. Narayanan is the medical director of the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program of British Columbia. She graduated from … Read More
Working together for physician engagement and better patient care
Facility engagement. Diversity, equity, and inclusion. Leadership development. Physician wellbeing. If you thought for a moment these are all priorities your VPSA addresses, you wouldn’t be wrong. They are also VCH portfolios that Associate Vice President of Medicine, Quality & Safety Dr. Chad Kim Sing has been working to bring together under the same umbrella for the past year. Dr. Kim Sing spoke about his work at a recent VPSA … Read More