IMPROVING ACCESS TO SPECIALIST CARE IN RURAL COMMUNITIESSouth Okanagan Similkameen Shared Care

DR. ELLA MONRO Family Physician - Princeton

DR. BRIAN FORZLEY Nephrologist - Penticton

LISA NEEDOBA Project Lead, Shared Care

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Shared Care in Context

Ministry of Health Doctors of BC

Physician Master Agreement

General Practice Services Committee

SpecialistServices Committee

Shared Care Committee

SOS Shared Care Steering Committee

SOS Division of Family Practice

Interior Health CSC

SOS Collaborative Services Committee Specialists, Family

Physicians, Interior Health

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The Similkameen Valley in the Southern Interior of BC

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Princeton BC• Pop. 2,700

• Princeton General Hospital serves a surrounding population of about 5,400

• Currently 3 family doctors + 1 nurse practitioner

• High physician turnover in recent years; constantly recruiting to fill the 5 FP compliment

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Removing barriers…

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Medical Office

Assistants (MOAs)

Princeton Family

Physicians

Princeton Hospital

Staff

Community Integrated

Health Services Admin

Shared Care

Project Staff

Patients

Penticton Specialists

Stakeholders

Collaborating to Improve Access

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Family Physicians and

their MOAs

Interior Health Authority staff

members

Specialists and their MOAs

Shared Care Project Staff

Patients

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Growth of Princeton Specialty Clinics

2013

GP AddictionsPeds

Cardio Psych

2014

GIMRespiro

Peds Cardio

GP Methadone

Rheum Psych

Ortho

Gen Surgery

UrologyGP Addictions

Specialist perspective

“I saw this as an opportunity for Shared

Care to work with Interior Health in improving health outcomes for patients in

outreach areas.

It feels like the right thing to be doing.”

~ Dr. Shannon Walker, Respirologist

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Community impact

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“It was so good to be seen in Princeton, and

not have to ask my family to take me to

Penticton.”

~ Orthopaedic patient

Impact for the Rural Family Physician

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One of eight Continuing Medical Education sessions held in 2014.

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