A GP for Me Takes Aim at Physician Shortages

The World Health Organization reports a global shortage of doctors and nurses, and British Columbia is no exception. The challenge is complex and so are the solutions. It is not just about hiring more doctors but also about making the best use of the health services we already have and finding new ways to deliver care. 

Here in BC, the provincial government and Doctors of BC are working to make things better for patients and doctors through A GP for Me, a province-wide initiative that aims to strengthen the primary care system at the community level and help more people find a family doctor.   

A GP for Me supports community-based groups of family physicians, known as divisions of family practice, who are working closely with health authorities and local partners to improve people’s access to care. This is the first time there has been this level of collaboration between doctors and communities in BC, and the early results are impressive. 

A GP for Me projects are underway in more than 220 communities across BC. Some of these include:

• Patient-physician matching systems called ‘attachment mechanisms’ that make it easier for patients to find doctors, and for doctors to take on new patients.
• More health care teams coming together to support physicians in the care of patients with complex health needs.
• Recruitment of more doctors and support for retiring doctors and their patients.
• Business support and resources for GP practices to assist in increasing capacity and improving care quality.
• Health promotion/public education to help patients access care more easily and make the most of their health care experience.

These kinds of A GP for Me strategies are focused on meeting unique local primary care needs, which have been identified through community consultations carried out by divisions of family practice. This community-based approach to improving primary care “from the ground up” is a critical element of A GP for Me that will set a strong path toward success. 

It is going to take time to change the system, but A GP for Me is already changing lives.   People are finding family doctors. Physicians are feeling more supported and some are rediscovering their passion for their work. The real work is just beginning, but A GP for Me is already laying the foundation for a stronger, more vital primary care system in BC – now and in the future.  

Read about some local A GP for Me plans here.

A GP for Me is one of the collaborative initiatives of the BC Government and Doctors of BC to enhance patient care and build a stronger health care system. For more information visit: www.agpforme.ca.