The Practice Support Program (PSP), an initiative of the General Practice Services Committee (GPSC) and funded in partnership by Doctors of BC and the BC Government, provides a range of activities and supports to help primary care physicians and teams practice more efficiently, focus on providing proactive care, and work towards adopting attributes of the patient medical home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Island Health PSP coaches have been supporting physicians to respond, adapt and enhance their practices to meet patient safety and care needs.
Island Health Practice Support Program coaches have provided 1:1 support to family physicians and teams to adapt workflows, create efficiencies, and ensure that clinics are safe for patients and staff. Significant focus has been on supporting physicians to optimize virtual care technology in family practice, as well as connecting physicians to resources and peer mentors.
Innovative shifts highlight the great work happening on Vancouver Island. Virtual group medical appointments have started taking place to meet the needs of individuals in social isolation, unable to access normal programs and care, and who may benefit from the support of one another.
As some practices have seen a reduction in the number of overall visits, PSP coaches are focusing their efforts to support physicians to provide proactive care to patients with chronic diseases, complex care needs, and identifying vulnerable patients through Panel Management activities.
The very rapid change in focus during the pandemic from the services normally provided by coaches to adapt to the evolving needs of primary care is a testament to the agility of both the program and the coach to be flexible and responsive in supporting physicians.
Visit the PSP website for more information and contact details for your region.