Doctors

B.C. Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced changes Nov. 27 to how internationally-trained doctors can practice in B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. opens doors to more internationally-trained doctors with new changes

Province tripling spots in licensing program, expediting process for U.S. physicians

B.C. Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced changes Nov. 27 to how internationally-trained doctors can practice in B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s health ministers are set to meet in Vancouver on Nov. 7 and 8 to discuss solutions to health-care crises. (Adobe Stock Image)

Doctors, nurses call for action on crumbling care, health ministers meet in Vancouver

Health ministers from across Canada set to meet Monday and Tuesday

Canada’s health ministers are set to meet in Vancouver on Nov. 7 and 8 to discuss solutions to health-care crises. (Adobe Stock Image)
A Chilliwack doctor has been disciplined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. (Stock photo by Marcelo Leal on Unsplash)

Fraser Valley doctor suspended after sending inappropriate messages to patient

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia handed Dr. Rafet Jhameel a 3 month ban

A Chilliwack doctor has been disciplined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. (Stock photo by Marcelo Leal on Unsplash)
In this file photo, Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, on March 10, 2022. On Oct. 31, he announced a new payment model for family doctors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. announces long-awaited new payment model for family doctors to launch in 2023

New model promises compensation based on time spent, complexity of visits

In this file photo, Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, on March 10, 2022. On Oct. 31, he announced a new payment model for family doctors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
(Black Press Media Creative)

54 new family doctors sign on with B.C.’s incentive package

Offer received criticism back in June for failing to cover true costs of being a doctor

(Black Press Media Creative)
The faces of Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix on effigies being hung by the neck during an anti-vaccine event at the B.C. legislature on Dec. 9, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Facebook/Anne O’Neil)

B.C. doctor alleged to be part of anti-vax effigy hanging facing possible discipline

Regulatory college investigating conduct of Dr. Daniel Yoshio Nagase

The faces of Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix on effigies being hung by the neck during an anti-vaccine event at the B.C. legislature on Dec. 9, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Facebook/Anne O’Neil)
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tyler MacGregor has been doing day surgeries at Cariboo Memorial Hospital as part of a visiting specialists program within Interior Health . (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Casual Country)

CASUAL COUNTRY 2022: Connection with Chilcotin attracts Kamloops orthopedic surgeon

Dr. Tyler MacGregor has made his way back to the region

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tyler MacGregor has been doing day surgeries at Cariboo Memorial Hospital as part of a visiting specialists program within Interior Health . (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Casual Country)
The trauma bay is photographed during simulation training at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. In B.C. Specialists ranging from cardiologists, pediatricians and orthopedic surgeons are pushing the British Columbia government to alleviate backlogs that have exacerbated wait times. It comes as the head of the Canadian Medical Association says it's time for innovative solutions to address the same problem across the country.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Specialists join forces to push B.C. for same recognition as family doctors

‘Patients are getting sicker and dying on our wait-lists’

The trauma bay is photographed during simulation training at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. In B.C. Specialists ranging from cardiologists, pediatricians and orthopedic surgeons are pushing the British Columbia government to alleviate backlogs that have exacerbated wait times. It comes as the head of the Canadian Medical Association says it's time for innovative solutions to address the same problem across the country.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
Dr. Katharine Smart is shown in an undated handout photo. As Canadian health-care systems buckle under the weight of doctor shortages, the past president of the Canadian Medical Association is calling for a national licensing pathway for doctors — and some provinces are on board.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Medical Association, *MANDATORY CREDIT

Calls grow to streamline licensing for doctors as health-care systems struggle

As Canadian health-care systems buckle under the weight of doctor shortages, the…

Dr. Katharine Smart is shown in an undated handout photo. As Canadian health-care systems buckle under the weight of doctor shortages, the past president of the Canadian Medical Association is calling for a national licensing pathway for doctors — and some provinces are on board.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Medical Association, *MANDATORY CREDIT
B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. More grim statistics from the BC Coroners Service show the rate of toxic drug deaths has doubled since the province declared a public health emergency in 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

More comprehensive services required to curb B.C. drug deaths, doctor says

‘I hope we see behind those statistics that it’s really human beings who are dying’

B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. More grim statistics from the BC Coroners Service show the rate of toxic drug deaths has doubled since the province declared a public health emergency in 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. health minister Adrian Dix speaks on the healthcare crisis at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler Sept. 13. (Credit: Union of B.C. Municipalities)

Dix offers words but no prescription as B.C. municipalities demand healthcare solutions

Mayors, councillors gathered in Whistler for Union of B.C. Municipalities convention

B.C. health minister Adrian Dix speaks on the healthcare crisis at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler Sept. 13. (Credit: Union of B.C. Municipalities)
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