Research has proven that a continuous relationship with a family physician (FP) can improve patient health outcomes and ease the burden on hospitals by reducing repeat hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

An important aspect of such continuous care is the coordination of patient transitions between hospital and community doctor offices. Yet in recent years, British Columbia has experienced a gradual loss of community-based family physicians providing care to patients in hospitals.

To address this issue, the FPSC has approved a set of incentives aimed at better supporting doctors who provide this important aspect of care. This funding will support family physicians who:

• Provide care to their own patients when they are in hospitals
• Provide care for patients admitted to hospital without an FP, whose FP does not have hospital privileges, or who are from out-of-town; and
• Provide hospital or terminal facility care to patients, through increased incentives.


• The Kootenay Boundary Division of Family Practice also works closely with Interior Health to address non-compensation-related in-patient care issues (aka “hassle factors”). These hassle factors include infrastructure and tools (e.g., charts, computers, parking), communication and information flow, respectful workplace and relationships, resources and capacity (e.g., allied health services, access to lab services), and support/education.
  
  Click here to see the objectives for the In-patient Care Project >
   

  In-Patient Care – Latest News

  Overcoming in-patient hassle factors

  The Division engaged members in a number of events to discuss non-compensation in-patient "hassle factors. These events resulted in a number of immediate changes to support GPs in this area.
  
  At KBRH in Trail:
  • Efforts have been made to ensure blood test results are ready by 9 a.m. when GPs do rounds.
  • Medical meetings have been moved earlier (845am) and meetings are better communicated as 'open' for GP support.
  • Working on resolving residential care bed availability, ensuring home care is ordered in good time, and improving continuity between community and hospital.

  At KLH in Nelson:

  • Physiotherapist now available on Saturdays. Linda Otto, Allied Health Professional will attend Feb LMAC to discuss improved access and FTE of Allied Health.
  • Respiratory therapist in-house as per GP request and will respond after hours if requested.
  • RN third dayshift changed to start at 7 a.m. to facilitate inductions and outpatient bookings. This will assist GPs who need to be at their offices by mid-morning.
  • Vitals will be charged by 6 a.m. and entered into patient chart so they are easier to find for GPs doing rounds in the morning.

  Roll-out of FPSC Incentives in April 2013

  During the summer and fall of 2012, Division engaged members in a number of events to provide local input to the Ministry of Health on challenges associated with providing in-hospital care, including both compensation and non-compensation issues.
  
  This local feedback helped guide provincial work in developing the overall in-patient care provisions announced together with A GP for Me by the Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid on February 24, 2013. Compensation models were established and the Division supported GPs in Nelson, Grand Forks, and Trail to register for the assigned and unassigned in-patient care networks.