Reducing administrative burdens for BC physicians

While medicine is a fast-paced and multi-faceted field, the increasing volume of tasks that are not directly tied to patient care – such as paperwork and EMR management – can weigh heavily on a physician’s time and well-being. Since 2019, Doctors of BC has been collaborating with BC physicians to develop real solutions to the ongoing administrative pressures many physicians experience.

Doctors of BC policy position – Advocating for BC’s physicians

In 2021, following extensive member engagement, Doctors of BC published our physician burdens policy statement, which highlighted how BC doctors have been experiencing escalated stress due to a growing number of demands, including an increase in administrative tasks. The cumulative impact of these demands leads to unmanageable time constraints and expectations to deliver beyond what is reasonably possible. In 2022, we published our policy paper, Creating Space for Doctors to Be Doctors: A Cumulative Impact Lens on Physician Demands, which calls for urgent action to alleviate some of the burdens doctors face. Informed by member feedback, the paper includes recommendations for health care partners to carefully consider how any new ask or proposed change may affect the wider health care system’s accessibility and quality. It also encourages them to use the Doctors of BC-developed Burdens Solutions Tool which provides a framework for assessing new, existing, and potential demands on physician time.

The Administrative Burdens Working Group: Seeking collaborative solutions

The negotiation of the 2022 Physician Master Agreement established the Administrative Burdens Working Group (ABWG) which includes representation from health authorities, the Ministry of Health, Health Quality BC, and Doctors of BC. The group, which meets monthly to discuss ways to reduce demands on busy physicians and their teams, is currently focusing on three key areas:

• Special Authority (SA) processes: Developing recommendations related to SA forms to streamline processes, resulting in reduced physician administrative burdens,
• Medical imaging: Addressing burdens related to medical imaging waitlists throughout the Lower Mainland and provincially.
• BC Cancer: Evaluating the hereditary screening program and referral issues relating to BC Cancer.
• The group is also working on identifying new burdens that need addressing over the coming months.

Navigating ICBC

Doctors of BC also works collaboratively with ICBC to assist physicians in reducing the administrative burden of navigating the system while caring for patients with injuries covered by ICBC. Doctors of BC worked closely with ICBC on the 2021 Enhanced Care coverage regulations, conducting more than 12 consultation meetings to ensure the physician perspective was heard. In the fall of 2024, Doctors of BC will be conducting a formal review of the Enhanced Care Model to identify its successes, as well as pain points that should be addressed.

Physicians who are interested in learning more about Doctors of BC’s work with ICBC can visit the joint Doctors of BC-ICBC Committee webpage. 

Streamlining WorkSafeBC

Many physicians in the province care for patients with work-related injuries, and Doctors of BC is working with WorkSafeBC to streamline the billing process and improve doctors’ experience. Most recently, Doctors of BC and WorkSafeBC signed the 2022-2025 Physicians and Surgeons’ WorkSafeBC Services Agreement which covers negotiated WorkSafeBC fee increases to ensure adequate physician compensation, as well as changes to reduce the volume of administrative tasks for physicians when caring for patients with a work-related injury.

Doctors of BC successfully negotiated a new fee for submitting Form F8 through Teleplan within two business days and, in 2022, successfully requested that WSBC increase the time allowed to bill for expedited surgical premiums to 40 business days (up from 20).

Physicians who are interested in getting involved in working with WorkSafeBC can learn about our WorkSafeBC Liaison Committee (login required).

Alleviating demands on physicians: A continued priority 

The complexity of administrative demands on physicians means that solutions must incorporate and increase the influence of the physician voice – a key priority in our strategic plan. We remain committed to engaging with physicians throughout the province to seek input into alleviating administrative demands and providing physicians with the space and time to take care of their patients.

Visit our Workplace Requirements webpage to learn key information about WSBC and ICBC changes and improvements, as well as access educational resources.