Community Physician Health and Safety Program

Doctors of BC is an association comprising of more than 16,000 physicians, residents, and medical students in British Columbia. They support B.C.’s doctors to be leaders in delivering and improving patient care. At the provincial level, Doctors of BC amplifies physician voices during negotiations for the Physicians Master Agreement and allocates funding to advance the health, wellness, and safety of its members, as well as advocate for fair compensation and offer business support. Through the Physician Health and Safety Agreement, Doctors of BC is taking significant actions to improve workplace safety for physicians, with physicians.

standards on many topics, including psychological health and safety and physicians’ office equipment and supplies (e.g., medical devices, and infection prevention and control).

CMPA is Canada’s largest national medical association for doctors sharing the service benefits, costs, and risks of membership. It is not insurance but rather a mutual defense organization for Canadian physicians addressing medico-legal and risk reduction advice, support, and learning. CMPA conducts research, investigates complaints, and uses data-driven education and learning to support patient safety and safe medical care.

SWITCH BC supports province-wide innovation, prevention and training, and enhancing the culture of safety in all healthcare workplaces. SWITCH BC is developing a new Community Physician Health and Safety program that provides tools, training, consults, and resources to meet safety regulations. It includes psychological and physical health and safety, violence prevention, and injury prevention.

BCCDC is the provincial public health service providing surveillance, detection, prevention, treatment, policy development, and health promotion programming to promote and protect the health of British Columbians. It combines public health practice with research and functions as the provincial reporting centre for reportable diseases. Physicians can access clinical resources, data and reports, education, and development support here.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the provincial healthcare system’s overall accountability and funding. It is also responsible for ensuring that quality, appropriate, cost-effective, and timely health services are available for British Columbians.

WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial agency with two key mandates: setting occupational health and safety regulations (including prevention and enforcement) and a mandatory insurance program compensating injured workers. Physicians who employ staff are required to register with WorkSafeBC and contribute to insurance premiums. WorkSafeBC also provides online resources to help physicians navigate regulations.

CCOHS is run by the Government of Canada and it promotes workplace health and safety methods that lead to improved worker physical and mental health through a wide range of products and services. CCOHS provides resources and related courses including Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS); mental health; young, aging, and vulnerable workers; violence prevention; hazard identification and risk assessments; and healthy workplaces.

MHCC works to improve the lives of people who experience mental health problems and illnesses, offering training programs that support mental health in communities and workplaces, and leading research and program initiatives that emphasize people-centred values. These include suicide prevention, stigma and discrimination, and workplace psychological health and safety.

The Ministry of Health works together with a Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), five regional health authorities (Northern Health, Interior Health, Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal, and Island Health) to provide health services to British Columbians. Health authorities plan and deliver healthcare services within their geographic areas. First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)is federally funded, and its aim is to improve services and support Indigenous individuals, families, and communities through meaningful collaboration and partnership.

CPSBC’s main function is to ensure physicians and surgeons are qualified, competent, and fit to practice medicine keeping patients safe. CPSBC regulates practice standards, develops professional guidelines, and provides legislative guidance to assist physicians and surgeons in meeting high standards of medical practice and conduct.

BCCFP is the B.C. branch of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), the professional association and the legal certifying body for the specialty of family medicine in Canada. More than 7,000 family physicians, residents, and medical students are members of BCCFP because of the College’s work to support family physicians, including celebrating their work and bringing attention to the role they play in a person’s overall health.