Dr Claire Campion-Wright: Finding balance and joy through team-based care

Dr Claire Campion-Wright, an internal medicine specialist with a focus on obesity and a participant in Consultant Specialist Team Care (CSTC) – a key strategic priority of the Specialist Services Committee (SSC) – found running a medical practice in Surrey, BC, increasingly challenging due to one pervasive issue: misinformation. 

Patients, overwhelmed by conflicting advice from unreliable sources – ranging from the media to profit-driven "programs" – arrived at her clinic frustrated and confused. "Before adopting the team-based care model, my days were filled with lengthy appointments, often extended by repetitive questions rooted in misconceptions," recalls Dr Campion-Wright. "Due to the speed of new misinformation, I spent more time dispelling myths than focusing on diagnosis and treatment. This limited my ability to see new patients with complex health needs, but I feel physicians have a duty to be a source of reliable health information."

Recognizing the critical need for patient education, she restructured her clinic around a more efficient, team-based approach supported by the CSTC. She hired a registered dietitian and a registered nurse into the role of clinic educators, to handle patient intake and provide comprehensive education on weight management. The interdisciplinary team works collaboratively to offer patients reliable, evidence-based information in 1:1 appointment’s, creating a supportive environment for their health journey.

"Having a dietitian and nurse has been transformative," says Dr Campion-Wright. "They help patients understand their health journey, allowing me to focus more effectively on diagnosis and treatment." Her clinic now mirrors the interdisciplinary models common in hospitals which is rare in community settings due to funding limitations.

This new approach reignited her passion for her work. "I’m excited to come in each day," she shares. "Having a team to navigate challenges and celebrate successes has made all the difference. We're no longer battling misinformation alone; we empower our patients and bring renewed joy to our practice."

By embracing the CSTC model, Dr Campion-Wright has successfully balanced patient care demands with a sustainable and supportive work environment, achieving lasting satisfaction for her team and patients alike. This model serves as a blueprint for other community clinics aiming to elevate care through effective and efficient use of resources.