As doctors across BC try to meet the unprecedented demands that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on them, reports of physician burnout are increasing. But what does burnout actually look like? How do you recognize the early warning signs so you can take steps to prevent it? And where do doctors go for help? In this episode of DocTalks, psychiatrist Dr Jennifer Russel and family doctor Dr Lawrence Yang share  their perspectives about how burnout affects doctors, how to recognize it, and what steps to take to minimize the impact. From personal coping strategies, to implementing leadership and QI methodology, and advocating for system-wide enhancements, our guests share what methods they’ve adopted  – both in their personal and professional lives – to stay well, and what supports are available to doctors that can really made a difference.

Interested in this interview, but don’t have time to listen to the podcast? A summary of the conversation can be found here.

Resources: Physician Health Program

• 24 hour confidential helpline: 1-800-663-6729

Doctors of BC Physician Burden policy paperCanadian Medical Protection AssociationPhysician Quality ImprovementSauder School of Business: Physician Leadership ProgramGPSC Leadership and Management TrainingPractice Support Program

Amidst disturbing allegations of anti-Indigenous racism in BC’s health care system, the government appointed Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond to independently conduct a review. The findings were clear: Indigenous people are continually subjected to widespread, systemic racism which often results in negative experiences at the point of care, inequitable medical treatment, physical harm, and even death.  In this episode of DocTalks, we will speak to Indigenous family physician, Dr Terri Aldred, and Indigenous Cultural Safety Coordinator and Consultant, Len Pierre, about how we can define and understand cultural safety and the complexities of addressing this systemic problem. What steps can doctors and health care workers take to begin or continue the journey to address racism, both on an individual level and at a system-wide level? How can we measure our progress going forward?

Resources: 

In the first episode of DocTalks, a new direction for BC’s primary health care system is explored. We’ve heard the names, but what really are patient medical homes and primary care networks? Host Dr Matthew Chow, with guests Drs Brenda Hefford and Shelley Ross, take a deep dive into the current primary care landscape to unpack ideas about:

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