Reducing administrative burdens for physicians
Doctors of BC has been working for many years to reduce the time physicians spend dealing with administrative burdens, such as paperwork, unnecessary tasks, and work that does not directly relate to patient care. In addressing burden challenges for physician members, Doctors of BC has undertaken three efforts:
- Creating policy that reflects physicians’ experiences
- Negotiating an agreement to reduce burdens
- Provide practice resources for physicians
Creating policy that reflects physicians’ experiences
Doctors of BC engaged with members to create a policy that reflects the urgent need for real solutions. In our What We Heard report on physician burdens, members confirm they are frustrated by varied and mounting demands in their practice.
Based on this feedback, our Policy team created a 2021 policy statement, and a 2022 policy paper, Creating space for doctors to be doctors: A cumulative impact lens on physician demands. It also launched the Doctors of BC-developed a burdens solutions tool which outlines steps to eliminate, or reduce the impact of burdens.
Negotiating an agreement to reduce burdens
To create tangible improvements regarding administrative burdens, Doctors of BC ensured the topic was a significant part of the 2022 Physician Master Agreement (PMA). The Memorandum of Agreement on Physicians Administrative Burdens was negotiated as part of the PMA, from which the Administrative Burdens Working Group (ABWG) was formed.
The ABWG consists of physician members and staff representatives from Doctors of BC, provincial health authorities and the Ministry of Health, and is led by Health Quality BC. The ABWG has the mandate and resources to address burdens for physicians.
The ABWG must present its recommendations to the Doctors of BC Board and the BC Health Leadership Council to ensure alignment before they are endorsed. After the group completes work on the three existing areas, it will prioritize the next series of administrative burdens to address.
Three key areas of focus
The ABWG currently focuses on three key areas:
1. Management of medical imaging appointments
In Spring 2025, the Doctors of BC Board of Directors and the BC Health Leadership Council accepted the ABWG’s three recommendations on medical imaging appointments.
Responsibility and ownership of the process
Medical imaging services run by health authorities identified in the Memorandum of Agreement Physician Administrative Burdens (MOA), where referring providers currently manage booking processes, should be directly responsible for contacting patients, booking patient appointments, and providing necessary exam preparation information.
Notifications
Current policy from the Ministry of Health means that Lower Mainland medical imaging services must notify referring providers and patients when a requisition has been received and accepted/declined. The ABWG recommends that notifications now include the provincial standardized priority level, potentially including estimated wait time advice at a future date.
The group also recommends that Health Gateway be used as a platform for patients to access information so they can confirm their own medical imaging requisition status, procedure, preparation instructions, and contact details for questions if they arise.Technical solutions
The Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority should analyze the provincial medical imaging office's eTriage function as a potential requisition management solution. This would help identify whether expansion into medical imaging services identified by the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), where the function is not currently in place, is cost-effective and sustainable in the context of the wider Provincial Digital Health Strategy.
If this proves to be a potential solution, Fraser Health Authority, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority, and Vancouver Coastal Health imaging services should collaborate with the provincial medical imaging office and the Ministry of Health to continue expanding requisition management tools into all medical imaging services identified in the MOA.
Next steps
To implement these recommendations, the Ministry of Health will work with the health authorities in the Lower Mainland to determine the best approach for all partners involved. Doctors of BC will work collaboratively with partners during the implementation phase to ensure the physician perspective is incorporated into any changes and adjustments.
2. Special Authority (SA) forms and processes
The ABWG is developing recommendations related to Special Authority forms to streamline processes, resulting in reduced physician administrative burdens.
3. BC Cancer Agency forms and processes
The ABWG is evaluating the hereditary screening program and referral issues relating to BC Cancer.
Practice resources for physicians
Doctors of BC provides physicians throughout the province with a variety of practical and educational toolkits and information, as well as updates from partner organizations, that affect the everyday running of your clinic.
- Doctors of BC provides tailor-made assistance for physicians who need support with business operations. From opening your clinic, to human resources and contingency planning toolkits, these resources can help streamline your operations and reduce administrative demands on you and your team.
- Our Workplace requirements and information page streamlines access to important information from WorkSafeBC and ICBC, and includes information about the Community Physician Health and Safety Program which aims to support and enhance health and safety for physicians and support staff working in communities.
ICBC and WorkSafeBC
Doctors of BC also works with partner organizations to share physician perspectives and improve the user experience for doctors and medical teams.
WorkSafeBC
Doctors of BC works with WorkSafeBC to streamline the billing process and ensure adequate compensation for physicians, including the 2022-2025 Physicians and Surgeons WorkSafeBC Services Agreement.
ICBC
In 2021, Doctors of BC worked with ICBC on the Enhanced Care Coverage Regulations, with regular input from physicians. A formal review of Enhanced Care will be completed in early January 2025 to identify areas of success, and improvements needed. Results will be shared in early summer 2025.