Doctors

A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope. In B.C. more than a quarter of adults don’t have a family physician. Those who do have one say it’s hard to get in. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle0

More than 60% of B.C. adults have no family doctor or poor access to one: poll

Of those who do have a family doctor, just 7% say they have easy access to them

A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope. In B.C. more than a quarter of adults don’t have a family physician. Those who do have one say it’s hard to get in. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle0
A health-care worker walks past a thank you sign in the intensive care unit at the Humber River Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on January 25, 2022. A new survey suggests there is a significant decrease in the well-being of physicians across Canada as many doctors say their mental health is worse now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Medical Association’s new National Physician Health Survey indicates 53 per cent of respondents report symptoms of burnout including emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Many Canadian doctors struggle with burnout, depression and anxiety: survey

53 per cent of respondents reported symptoms of burnout, including emotional exhaustion

A health-care worker walks past a thank you sign in the intensive care unit at the Humber River Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on January 25, 2022. A new survey suggests there is a significant decrease in the well-being of physicians across Canada as many doctors say their mental health is worse now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Medical Association’s new National Physician Health Survey indicates 53 per cent of respondents report symptoms of burnout including emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix at a COVID-19 briefing from the cabinet offices in Vancouver, Jan. 18, 2022. (B.C. government photo)

$118M announced for B.C. family doctors amid new payment model transition

Province and Doctors of B.C. working on “long-term” solutions to the family doctor shortage

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix at a COVID-19 briefing from the cabinet offices in Vancouver, Jan. 18, 2022. (B.C. government photo)
Dr. Alika Lafontaine, shown in this undated handout photo is the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association. Lafontaine, who is also the youngest CMA president and of Cree, Anishinaabe, Métis and Pacific Islander ancestry, says he will now be a spokesperson for the group that has been advocating for Canadian health-care professionals and patients by engaging with governments, communities and other stakeholders for about 155 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Medical Association.

VIDEO: Canadian Medical Association’s first Indigenous leader takes helm

Dr. Alika Lafontaine also becomes the Canadian Medical Association youngest president

Dr. Alika Lafontaine, shown in this undated handout photo is the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association. Lafontaine, who is also the youngest CMA president and of Cree, Anishinaabe, Métis and Pacific Islander ancestry, says he will now be a spokesperson for the group that has been advocating for Canadian health-care professionals and patients by engaging with governments, communities and other stakeholders for about 155 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Medical Association.
Protesters gather outside the Ministry of Health Wednesday (Aug. 10) afternoon, calling on the provincial government to address the family doctor shortage. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Demonstrators in Victoria call for province to address B.C.’s family doctor shortage

People with and without family physicians converge on Health Ministry office

Protesters gather outside the Ministry of Health Wednesday (Aug. 10) afternoon, calling on the provincial government to address the family doctor shortage. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
The UBC Body Program requires donations for critical medical teaching and research(KarinKarin/pixabay.com)

UBC Faculty of Medicine is facing a shortage in donated cadavers

The number of donations has dropped from 80-120 to 45-50 each year.

The UBC Body Program requires donations for critical medical teaching and research(KarinKarin/pixabay.com)
Dr. Nordine, a Kelowna-based physician is no longer able to work at a local detox centre because of his failure to comply with the provincial vaccination mandate (Joshua Nordine/Facebook)

Campaign aims to get unvaxxed health care workers back in B.C. hospitals

‘Hire Back our Heroes’ campaigners says an entire career should not be tainted by one decision

Dr. Nordine, a Kelowna-based physician is no longer able to work at a local detox centre because of his failure to comply with the provincial vaccination mandate (Joshua Nordine/Facebook)
B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses after announcing he will not run in the next provincial election during a news conference in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. A group representing emergency room doctors across the country has a message for Canada’s premiers: come up with a co-ordinated plan to prevent their workplaces from being closed due to staffing shortages that are creating an unprecedented crisis in health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ottawa’s share of health-care funding to be top concern at premiers’ meeting in B.C.

Premiers calling for feds to increase their share of spending from 22 to 35 per cent

B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses after announcing he will not run in the next provincial election during a news conference in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. A group representing emergency room doctors across the country has a message for Canada’s premiers: come up with a co-ordinated plan to prevent their workplaces from being closed due to staffing shortages that are creating an unprecedented crisis in health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope in her doctor’s office. In B.C., some family doctors are calling for a switch from the current payment model that compensates them per patient, to one that compensates them regardless of the time they spend with each person. CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle

B.C. family doctors say time-based payment model one way to create less stress, better care

Current fee-for-service model pays doctors per patient regardless of how long they spend with them

A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope in her doctor’s office. In B.C., some family doctors are calling for a switch from the current payment model that compensates them per patient, to one that compensates them regardless of the time they spend with each person. CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle
Dozens hold signs and show support at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

B.C. reconsidering signing incentives for new family doctors following push back

Resident doctors say offer didn’t come close to addressing real problems

Dozens hold signs and show support at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Dozens display signs at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

B.C. family doctor shortage sparks hundreds to rally in Victoria

Advocates say 1 in 5 people in B.C. lack a general practitioner

  • May 19, 2022
Dozens display signs at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Dr. Tahmeena Ali says she is reaching a breaking point. (Contributed photo/healthvuemedical.com screenshot)

‘I’m approaching a breaking point’: South Surrey doctor writes

Dr. Tahmeena Ali says physicians’ workload growing beyond ability to cope

Dr. Tahmeena Ali says she is reaching a breaking point. (Contributed photo/healthvuemedical.com screenshot)
Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake has lost one of its senior surgeons. (Williams Lake Tribune file photo)

Longtime Williams Lake surgeon resigns over Interior Health admin changes

Dr. Dan Brosseuk has lived and worked in Williams Lake for the past 27 years

Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake has lost one of its senior surgeons. (Williams Lake Tribune file photo)
A doctor wears a stethoscope around his neck as he tends to patients in his office in Illinois on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia says it has suspended a doctor from practising while it completes an investigation into allegations that he sidestepped COVID-19 public health orders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jeff Roberson

B.C. doctor alleged to have circumvented COVID-19 regulations suspended during probe

Interim order affects Dr. Stephen Malthouse, a family practitioner on Denman Island

A doctor wears a stethoscope around his neck as he tends to patients in his office in Illinois on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia says it has suspended a doctor from practising while it completes an investigation into allegations that he sidestepped COVID-19 public health orders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jeff Roberson
Thousands of foreign-trained doctors are unable to practise medicine in Canada, despite severe doctor shortages. (Unsplash)

Regulations prevent foreign-trained B.C. doctor from practising

Despite severe doctor shortage, international medical graduates face years of barriers in Canada

Thousands of foreign-trained doctors are unable to practise medicine in Canada, despite severe doctor shortages. (Unsplash)
One of the 20 portraits of health care workers across B.C. painted by Victoria’s Shannon Holms. The paintings, which incorporate golden leaves symbolizing attributes of each subject, will be exhibited at the Gage Gallery from Feb. 15 to 20. (Courtesy of Shannon Holms)

B.C. artist immortalizes 20 healthcare heroes from across the province

Victoria woman launched project early in the pandemic, wanting a tribute beyond banging pots

One of the 20 portraits of health care workers across B.C. painted by Victoria’s Shannon Holms. The paintings, which incorporate golden leaves symbolizing attributes of each subject, will be exhibited at the Gage Gallery from Feb. 15 to 20. (Courtesy of Shannon Holms)
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Dr. Robert Semeniuk and registered nurse Sarah Wilson, patient care coordinator at the Summerland Health Centre, adjust the settings on a new Phaco unit used in eye cataract surgeries. The Summerland Health-Care Auxiliary is donating $100,000 for the upgraded high-tech machine. - Image Credit: Submitted photo

QUIZ: In praise of medical professionals

How much do you know about doctors, nurses and medical researchers in history and popular culture?

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Dr. Robert Semeniuk and registered nurse Sarah Wilson, patient care coordinator at the Summerland Health Centre, adjust the settings on a new Phaco unit used in eye cataract surgeries. The Summerland Health-Care Auxiliary is donating $100,000 for the upgraded high-tech machine. - Image Credit: Submitted photo