Advancing physician wellbeing in BC: Join the Physician Wellness Network

A new network spearheaded by the Physician Health Program (PHP) aims to connect organizations that are leaders in physician wellness, as well as providers of non-profit support or wellness services for physicians and medical learners.

Introducing the Physician Wellness Network

Physician wellness is of utmost importance to Doctors of BC and the PHP, and this new opportunity presents a unique opportunity for those who work around physician wellness in British Columbia. The Physician Wellness Network (PWN) will act as a connection point for knowledge sharing, aligning priorities and reducing siloes, and providing input on potential innovations, policies, and other initiatives in this area.

Throughout BC, there are a myriad of organizations that work on physician wellness initiatives and innovations. By bringing these stakeholders together, there will be significant opportunities for collaboration and relationship-building.

How will the network work, and who can get involved?

Please register for the Physician Wellness Network. The PHP is seeking non-profit organizations with a professional responsibility for physician wellness, or who provide wellness and support services for physicians and medical learners.  Up to two representatives from each organization may join.

The PHP aims to host two annual PWN gatherings, the first of which will be taking place virtually via Zoom on September 21st, 2022, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. You must register as a PWN member to attend. 

The PWN’s Fall 2022 Gathering aims to introduce the mandate of the network to its members, provide an opportunity for network members to connect, and feature physician speakers who will share how they started physician wellness initiatives in their communities. Featured speakers will be:

• Dr Fahreen Dossa and Andrew Pinfold – Vancouver Physician Staff Association
• Dr Ian Schokking and Dr. Firas Mansour – University Hospital of Northern BC Prince George
• Dr Tandi Wilkinson – Kootenay Boundary Division of Family Practice

Ongoing conversations using a digital collaboration platform will also be an integral part of the PWN, and future activities will be shaped by participants.

The establishment of the PWN is possible thanks to funding from Scotiabank, MD Financial Management Inc., and the Canadian Medical Association as part of the new Physician Wellness+ Initiative, which aims to address the urgent and ongoing health and wellness needs of physicians and medical learners.

Need more information?

To find out more about the commitment involved, read the Terms of Reference. 

If you have questions about this opportunity, please visit the PHP website for more information, or email View Email Addressprograms@physicianhealth.com.

PHP and Doctors of BC providing much-needed support to physicians provincewide

This program is another in a series of PHP and Doctors of BC initiatives that support physician health and wellness. Others include:

• Expanding PHP’s Family Doctor Connection Service for unattached physicians
• Launching a formal Peer Support Training pilot program
• Physician health and safety: PMA Memorandum of Agreement
• Extensive policy work around physician burdens

Doctors of BC continues to respond to the difficulties faced by doctors as we continue to deal with the effects of COVID-19, and other ongoing systemic challenges. As part of this work, Doctors of BC is currently holding a provincewide engagement on primary care concerns, and encourages all physicians to share their voice.