Second round of funding to promote specialist innovation

The Specialist Services Committee – a partnership of the Doctors of BC and the BC Ministry of Health – announced a funding process to support new specialist-led initiatives. Initiatives will support quality improvement in the health care system and address care gaps.

Specialists can submit their ideas through an Expression of Interest (EOI) online submission that is available to complete until April 30. SSC’s mandate is to support specialists to help improve the delivery of patient care in BC.

In 2012, SSC made one-time funding available for a number of specialist-led Quality and Innovation initiatives. Several of these initiatives are now in the process of expanding beyond a prototype. One initiative is training physicians on the use of bedside ultrasound, which is particularly helpful for physicians practicing in rural areas. In fact, one rural doctor recently used the technology to diagnose pericardial effusion in an elderly man with cancer, which led to more rapid and effective treatment.

Another funded initiative is the Prostate Cancer Survivorship Program, which provides support and resources for patients and partners around treatment options, managing treatment impact and lifestyle management.

This time around, SSC is contributing more support in the development stage and is fostering relationships with key partners, such as Health Authorities to help bolster success. SSC wants to help great ideas gain traction and move beyond a prototype to something robust that will better serve our patients, their families and the health care system.

Frequently Asked Questions and Expression of Interest information.

If you have any questions or need more information about this funding opportunity, please email:View Email Addresssscbc@doctorsofbc.ca. Please include “Expression of Interest” in the email’s subject head.