Posted on May 1, 2024
On April 17, 2024, more than 250 health care partners gathered in Vancouver for the first-ever provincial Facility Engagement Summit. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the initiative and its transformational role in building collaborative partnerships among health authorities and physicians working in BC’s acute care facilities.
Medical Staff Association (MSA) leaders and members, their support teams, health authority partners from six BC regions, and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Doctors of BC gathered to connect, reflect on their engagement journeys, and reignite fresh ideas and momentum for engagement.
Broadly, there was a strong emphasis on the value of Facility Engagement, an initiative of the Specialist Services Committee, in fostering robust relationships, effective communication, and proactive collaboration to enhance patient care and supportive medical staff workplaces.
Through presentations and discussions, participants shared local experiences, strategies, and lessons that underscore the value and importance of medical staff and health authorities working together on shared priorities.
Facility Engagement: a winner in BC health care
Opening the session, Doctors of BC President Dr Ahmer Karimuddin noted that effective partnerships and collaborative spaces did not exist a decade ago, and much progress has been made since Facility Engagement began in 2014 through the Physician Master Agreement.
He emphasized that the focus on collaborative work and common goals is shifting from an "us versus them" mindset to how partners can make a difference together, despite differences.
Dr Paris Ingledew, co-chair of the provincial SSC Facility Engagement Working Group (SSC FE WG) representing Doctors of BC, acknowledged Facility Engagement’s ability to build, enhance and expand connections within facilities and beyond—and to build culture, community, and relationships as an antidote to apathy and burnout.
Ryan Murray, the SSC FE WG Co-chair representing the Ministry of Health, said that Facility Engagement, unique to British Columbia, is a ‘winner’ in the health care system for its ability to help organize and unify the physician voice for collaboration with health authority partners.
“Not only does it demonstrate the level of collaboration that is possible between physicians, medical staff, and health authority partners, it also allows you to take a moment to reflect in gratitude on your dedication and your commitment to being better together, and to finding solutions to province-wide challenges that we all face.” – Dr Ahmer Karimuddin, Doctors of BC President
Experiences from the field
MSAs and health authority partners set the stage for an exchange of engagement ideas and experiences in a poster gallery showcasing effective local and regional activities across BC communities and regions.
Participants further shared MSA activity examples through 20 rapid-fire Lightning Talks.
These focused on themes ranging from recruitment and retention, transforming care and patient access, to enhancing cultural safety and medical staff wellness. Insights included:
- Starting small, being persistent in building culture change, and celebrating small wins.
- Valuing the importance of trust, empowerment, and persistent communication.
- Shifting away from the way care ‘has always been’ done and towards innovation as necessary for health care system improvements.
- Fostering a positive and respectful workplace culture and connections, including promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion to support medical staff well-being and retention.
- Understanding that the way people work together is just as important as what they do together, and that “kindness and civility matter too.”
Health authority and MSA Engagement journeys
Afternoon sessions featured discussions with six health authority and MSA/physician leaders who shared their Facility Engagement journeys.
They reflected on how their evolving relationships have strengthened the medical staff voice and fostered effective working partnerships in their sites and regions.
They also discussed various challenges they have overcome, and some they still face.
They said Facility Engagement has helped to break down silos and encouraged both connections within regions to address common issues.
They recognized the combination of funding, effective structures, and robust project support – along with opportunities for physician leadership – as crucial for advancing collaborative work effectively. They reflected on:
- The significance of active listening, purposeful meetings, and shared decision-making as critical for advancing key initiatives.
- The necessity of improved governance, including dyad structures, to align health authorities and medical staff priorities and engage medical staff in solutions.
- The importance of organizational structures like regional and MSA Presidents' tables in enhancing sharing, communication, and medical staff involvement in system change.
- The deep passion that rural physicians have for their communities and unique challenges they face leading to innovative solutions.
With a wealth of thoughtful insights, strategies, and ideas to consider, Summit participants concluded the day feeling energized, hopeful, and inspired – ready to build on the momentum of their contributions toward the continued success of Facility Engagement across BC.
Stay tuned for further insights and lessons to be shared with MSAs and partners from the Facility Engagement 2024 Summit.
Initiative
Supporting Facility Engagement
