June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day—the day set aside to recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across Canada. In Plain Sight, the BC Ministry of Health’s 2020 report on systemic Indigenous-specific racism in our health-care system, acted as a wake-up call to physicians. Since then, there has been increased interest amongst VPSA members … Read More
Recognizing residents for outstanding service and exceptional patient care
There was a festive mood as residents, faculty and VMDAS members gathered for our inaugural Resident Physicians Recognition & Appreciation Event on May 29th at Vancouver General Hospital. In any given day, 400 of the over 800 residents working in Vancouver Acute rotate through VGH. Fifty-one of them were nominated by department and division leaders, medical staff members, and allied health and administrative staff for their outstanding contributions. This was … Read More
Knowing your obligations under the new Health Professions and Occupations Act
A new Act that regulates health care, the Health Professions and Occupations Act, received Royal Assent in November 2022 but is not yet in force. There are some significant differences between the new Act and the current Health Professions Act, notably the obligation to self-report if you are lacking the competence or capacity to do your job. To better understand the duties to report under both the current and pending … Read More
Small Steps, Big Idea funding paves way for project successes
The Small Steps, Big Idea initiative provides funding for VPSA members to develop concepts that engage physicians and their colleagues, improve patient care, develop better communication, and/or build relationships across specialties, departments, health authority leadership, and community members. Funding can be used for sessional payments, meals, venue costs, and/or speaker or consultant fees. Three projects conducted over the 2022/23 fiscal year serve as inspirational examples. Anesthesiologist Dr. Himat Vaghadia led … Read More
VPSA-funded project creating real change
When VGH Experience in Care Leader Kimi Manhas worked as an RN, she looked after a patient who was not taking his medications because he could not afford them. That did not sit well with Ms. Manhas and she set out to make a difference. She collaborated with Drs. Ken Gin and Lynn Straatman on a VPSA-funded project addressing cost-related nonadherence (CRNA) to prescription medications. The project focused on Fair … Read More