Projects

Introdution
Increasing support for facility-based physicians is a first of its kind initiative in Canada—resulting from the new 2014 Physician Master Agreement between Doctors of BC and the Provincial Government. A key piece of the agreement is the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Regional and Local Engagement signed by all the Health Authority CEOs. The MOU provides support and funding to medical staff associations to facilitate discussions among physician groups or departments on issues that range from patient care improvement to improving communication and consultation with Health Authority Administration. This funding will be used to pay physicians for their time, hire staff, and support prioritized projects and initiatives.

Purpose
To invite medical staff to identify and submit initiatives for consideration and funding.
Initiatives do not necessarily have to be large in scope – the intent is to identify those impacting physicians and patient care and to bring forward solutions. Initiatives may range from no-cost proposals to improve how some work is done, to larger issues that have a significant impact on resources and capital.

Submission Requirement
Your proposal must address the following:

1. Define the issue you wish to address.
2. Identify all areas that a resolution to this issue would impact (e.g. patients, physicians, nursing, etc.).
3. Include relevant background information and describe the current situation as it relates to the issue.
4. Describe the option(s) available to address the issue and its advantages and disadvantages. Include benefits to patient care, physician work environment or physician satisfaction.
5. Indicate possible steps that could be taken to improve the issue (if known).
6. Submit complete forms to karen.vogel@rihpa.ca – a confirmation of submission will be sent to you.

Review Process
The Royal Inland Hospital Physician Association Working Group will review all submitted initiatives.
A scorecard will be utilized to rank the initiative and may call upon the author of the proposal to present or provide additional information if necessary. The author will receive notification of the status of the application within 8 weeks from date of submission. The Royal Inland Hospital Physician Association Working Group will keep a list of ongoing proposals and encourage medical staff to review existing proposals so as not to duplicate efforts. If your request is approved, you will be required to provide a quarterly status update on the progress of your initiative to the Working Group. Projects that are not showing progress toward completion will be re-evaluated for ongoing funding. Funds allocated are only available until March 31st of the current fiscal year.

As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Regional and Local Engagement, Facility Engagement funding cannot be used for the following:

1. Advertising except for physician recruitment ads
2. Compensation for clinical services
3. Purchase of real estate and vehicles
4. Purchase of clinical equipment
5. Donations to charities or political parties
6. Meeting attendance that is presently required as part of maintaining privileges

Submit completed forms via email to Anita (anita.cranston@rihpa.ca)