Health and wellness

Overview of health and wellness resources for medical staff:

These resources are available to all Northern Health medical staff. These resources are safe, confidential, and cover a wide variety of topics.

Resources are provided by:

• Northern Health
• Canadian Medical Association (CMA)
• Canadian Medical Protective Agency (CMPA)
• Doctors of BC
• The BC Patient Safety and Quality Council (BCPSQC)
• Crisis centre
• Worksafe BC

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a health and benefit service offered by Telus Health which provides confidential clinical counselling, work-health-life information, professional advice, and online resources (videos, blogs, fact sheets, assessments, financial calculators, a community resource directory, online access to appointment scheduling, mobile device compatibility and monthly webinars) on topics such as:

• Family support services (child and elder care)
• Clinical counselling: Family, couples, relationships, addiction related and emotional issues
• Professional advice: Legal, financial, career
• Nutrition, naturopath and health coaching

Visit: Work Health Life (search Northern Health Authority), download the MY EAP app, or call toll free 1-844-880-9142.

LifeSpeak is a total well-being platform that is 100% confidential and covers topics from mental health, financial well-being to marital relationships and eldercare.The resources available include: videos, audios, tip sheets and direct access to leading experts on topics such as:

• Financial health
• Relationships, parenting
• Stress Management and resilience
• Disability and absence management
• Physician conditions and disease
• Preventative health
• Professional development, leadership and management skills

LifeSpeak makes it easy for physicians and their families to access the support they need to overcome hurdles and accomplish goals, so you can keep your mind and bodies at work.

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

The purpose of the Continuing Medical Education program (CME) is to support physicians in the provision of exceptional care to patients by identifying and connecting physicians with CME/CPD opportunities. The CME program also increases the availability of learning opportunities for physicians across the North.

The Rural Education Action Plan (REAP) provides educational funding to MD students, residents, rural locums and rural physicians. Please visit REAP to see which programs are available.

Northern Health physicians can search for CME opportunities on the CME event calendar or can contact Jayleen Emery, Rural Continuing Medical Education Coordinator.

Dr. Charles Jago Awards

The Dr. Charles Jago Awards recognizes individuals and teams that have made outstanding contributions to the achievement of organizational goals, reflecting NH’s values (empathy, respect, collaboration, and innovation) in the process. The deadline for nominations will be promoted to physicians each year and are typically in February.

To nominate someone for the Dr. Charles Jago award, or to access further information visit MyNH (please note: to access nomination link on MyNH, you must login using your Northern Health username and password).

Health Promoting Workplaces (library resource guide)

This guide emerged through partnership between the Prince George Medical Staff Association for Facility Engagement (UHNBC Hospital Staff Health and Wellness Initiative), Northern Health Human Resources, and the Northern Health Library. It aggregates evidence and tools for leaders, managers and staff interested in advancing the health and wellness of health care workers.  

From understanding the factors affecting well-being at work to capturing case studies and interventions for improving or correcting these systemic issues, this resource brings together books, eBooks, articles, case studies, policy statements, and video links to foster learning and engagement with the topic. Suggestions and input to the guide to make it relevant to Northern Health staff and physicians are welcome and can be submitted when visiting the guide.

Canadian Medical Association (CMA)

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) unites physicians to take action on health issues that matter — both to our members and Canadians — building quality care for patients and a vibrant medical profession. 

For health and wellness resources visit the CMA website and the Physician Wellness Hub, or contact the Canadian Medical Association: 1-613-731-8610, or the member service centre: 1-888-855-2555.

Canadian Medical Protective Agency (CMPA)

The Canadian Medical Protective Agency (CMPA) has a goal of protecting the professional integrity of physicians and promoting safe medical care in Canada. CMPA can support physicians in managing stress and building resilience by offering articles and resources to support physician wellness and coping with the stress of medical practice.
CMPA members also have access to medical-legal assistance as well as a variety of education and event opportunities for physicians.

For more information contact, visit the contact us page or call 1-800-267-6522.

Physician Health Program - 24/7 Confidential Helpline

The Physician Health Program is a confidential support program for anytime you need it. Call the 24-hour helpline for private, discreet assistance with what you and your family might be facing. 

The program provides confidential help, referrals and counselling for physical and mental health issues, plus a wide variety of other concerns including:

• Relationship stress 
• Mental health 
• Career and life transitions 
• Substance use 
• Concern for colleagues 
• Occupational health 
• Financial issues

Connecting you to a family physician

It can be tempting to diagnose and treat yourself, in the mistaken belief that your colleagues should save their precious time for those in greater need. But we’re all familiar with William Osler’s famous advice to the contrary.

Having a solid relationship with a family physician of your own is an essential component of professional practice in medicine. We can connect you with a trusted colleague.

For more information visit the Physician Health Program or call 1-800-663-6729.

Doctors of BC member benefits

Through Doctors of BC benefits program, you will have access to confidential practice management support if and when you need it, along with a host of additional innovative system improvements.

Member benefits include:

• Practice support for specialists and family medicine physicians 
• Comprehensive insurance 
• Discounts 
• Financial planning and advice 
• Extended medical and dental benefits 

For more information, visit the benefits page on the Doctor's of BC webpage.

Leadership training

Each year, scholarships of up to $10,000 are available to practicing specialist physicians and general practitioners who wish to take leadership and quality improvement training courses and events. The funding is provided by the Specialist Services Committee (SSC) and Shared Care Committee (SCC), and covers travel and tuition costs. 

How to apply:

1. Complete the application form then submit to the Vice President of Medicine for endorsement and signature.
   • Individual physician application form
   • Groups physicians from the same health authority who are attending the same activity can download and complete a group application. Note: Custom courses designed for a specific group/purpose do not meet funding criteria.
2. The endorsed application is submitted to the Joint Collaborative Committees Leadership administration team for subcommittee approval. 

Courses commonly approved are provided by Physician Leadership Institute (Joule), BC Patient Safety and Quality Council’s Clinician Quality Academy, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

For more information on leadership training and funding, please contact Jayleen Emery, Physician Quality Improvement Coordinator, or visit the leadership training scholarship page. 

Quality improvement training

For information on quality improvement, please visit the quality improvement page and contact your local physician quality improvement coach.

Medical staff associations and facility engagement   

Medical staff associations are meant to provide physicians (GP's and specialists) a greater voice and influence within the health systems, and to enable physicians to directly engage with health leaders and lead change initiatives. 

• Funding guidelines summary table for facility engagement

Contact info for a Prince George MSA, Facility Engagement:
Email Project Manager, Facility Engagement at feuhnbc@outlook.com

What is physician/facility engagement? 
"It is a way to empower physicians to make things better. It helps to develop and strengthen relationships with administrators in general and hospital staff in particular." Quote by Dr. Paul Johar, Burnaby General Hospital. 

Why do we need physician engagement?
Each Health Authority has committed through a Memorandum of Understanding to support greater engagement and collaboration to involve physicians in organizations change and improvement. Primary use of funds has been for meeting time to provide:

• Improved opportunities for physicians and the health authority to work together 
• Involving physicians in decision making 
• Increased physician engagement measured by an increased percentage of participation of membership in these activities

Divisions of Family Practice

Local divisions undertake various initiatives, projects and programs to address specific areas of patient care, administration and physician support. 
Division work on these initiatives helps to recruit new doctors, support specific patient populations and support doctors in practicing more efficiently. 

To find the division in your area, see the community webpage on the Divisions of Family Practice site. 

For the Prince George Division of Family Practice, see their webpage.  

Practice Support Program (PSP) 

The Practice Support Program (PSP) has successfully developed inventive and effective tools and techniques to enhance clinical and practice management and to support better delivery systems of patient care for GP's. 

With its flexible delivery modules, the PSP provides Continuing Medical Education accredited training, support and education for physicians and their medical office assistants through: In-practice supports, learning modules, small group learning sessions, peer support networks and Electronic Medical Record optimization. 

For further information, visit the practice support program webpage.

Health Quality BC

The Health Quality BC (HQBC) provides system-wide leadership efforts designed to improve the quality of health care in BC. Through partnerships with health authorities, patients, and those working in the health care system, they promote and inform a provincially-coordinated, patient-centered approach to quality.

Some of the council’s ongoing activities include:

• Leading clinical initiatives that improve practices
• Supporting improvements in teamwork and communication
• Delivering learning opportunities

A wide range of education information and resources are available, from downloadable resources to webinars and comprehensive professional development programs. You can also access tools and supports to drive and sustain improvements, improve culture and advance the patient voice.

For more detailed information, contact Shari McKeown, Director of Learning & Capability Development.

Quality Forum

The Quality Forum is an annual conference featuring deep-dive sessions, presentations and interactive workshops on a variety of topics related to improving quality across the continuum of care. 1,200 people attend over three days. Presentation abstracts are to be submitted by September each year, and conference registration opens in November. 

For more information, please visit the Quality Forum.

BC Quality Awards

The Quality Awards celebrate people and projects that have improved the quality of health care in BC. Winners are recognized in many ways, including being awarded a $2,500 sponsorship, receiving plaques in a ceremony at Health Talks, and attending the Quality Forum. Eight winners and eight runners-up are chosen. Applications are to be submitted by July each year.

For more information, please visit the Quality Awards page on Health Quality BC.

Patient Voices Network

The Patient Voices Network is a community of patients, families and caregivers working with health care partners to improve the health care system. The inclusion of patient voices provides new perspectives and greater understanding for both patient and health care partners, leading to more informed decisions.

For more information, please visit the Patient Voices Network.

Crisis centre for Northern BC

A 24/7 crisis prevention, intervention and information centre in Northern BC for anyone feeling overwhelmed, depressed, suicidal or needing someone to listen. Call on behalf of yourself or someone else.

Contact: 1-888-562-1214 or visit the Northern BC Crisis Prevention, Intervention and Information Centre.

WorkSafe BC

If you are a physician who provides professional services to one of BC's health service authorities, WorkSafe BC has established a streamlined process to determine whether or not you are required to register.

For further information, and to determine your status as a physician please visit the physician page on the WorkSafe BC site.

Personal Optional Protection (POP)

Proprietors and partners in a partnership who operate an independent business are not automatically covered under the Workers Compensation Act. If eligible, proprietors and partners can purchase Personal Optional Protection (POP) coverage, which is optional workplace disability insurance.

POP will pay health care, wage-loss, and rehabilitation benefits if you are injured at work. When you apply, you can choose the level of coverage you need.

For more information, please visit the Personal Optional Protection page.