Doc-to-Doc Member Tips

Insights and Tips From Members Like You

Doc-to-Doc is a hub of curated resources and information for doctors showcasing leadership voices from within the Vancouver Family Medicine community. Divided into three subjects representing the Vancouver Division Board’s strategic initiatives, you can find resources on Physician Wellness, Palliative Care, and Environment and Sustainability.

Browse through our featured tips!

Dr. Fiona Duncan

Vancouver Division Physician Lead

“We created Doc-to-Doc to showcase the amazing leadership in our Family Medicine community, where each shares their own unique expertise and interests. An important aspect of physician wellness is the ability to be seen, heard, and supported.”

Palliative Care Tips

Dr. Kelly Little

Physician Lead for Palliative Care

Kelly Little’s writing on palliative care in Vancouver focuses on enhancing clinical support, education, and collaboration within the medical community. Through her posts, she emphasizes three key themes; Practical Tools for Palliative Care, Spotlighting Specialty Leaders, and Building a Palliative Care Community. Her overarching goal is to make palliative care more accessible, collaborative, and well-supported within Vancouver’s medical community.

Environmental and Sustainability Tips

Dr. Jay Slater

Physician Lead for Environment and Sustainability

Dr. Jay Slater explores the intersection of healthcare and environmental impact, highlighting how medical practices contribute to pollution, resource waste, and climate change. He emphasizes the need for sustainable healthcare solutions, including reducing plastic waste, minimizing pharmaceutical contamination, and lowering the sector’s carbon footprint. His work advocates for integrating eco-conscious practices into medicine to protect both human health and the planet.

Member Wellness

Dr. Daniel Dodek

Physician Lead for Physician Wellness

“My goal, as Vancouver Division Lead for Physician Health, is for family doctors in Vancouver and all communities, to feel appreciated, valued, experience joy in their work and take care of their health.”

Top Tips

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

RESPECT

“The amazing Arethra Franklin documentary was released this summer titled “RESPECT”. This led me to think about how patients treat our staff and how patients interact and communicate with physicians. Respect is a fundamental value that is required in the health care setting that contributes to a psychological safe work space. The Vancouver Division has produced a poster that Family Doctors can use throughout the medical office reminding patients of appropriate behaviour. Arethra Franklin said it best: “I think it would be a far better world if people were kinder and more respectful to each other.”

A Helpful Resource

Smartphone Recordings

Information about smartphone recording of the clinical encounter - Smartphone recordings by patients: Be prepared, it’s happening

Read the Article on CMPA

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

What is it like to be you today?

“I have a 240 second challenge for you: deep listening. According to Dr. Marissa King in the book Social Chemistry this exercise can help you become more open, flexible and less biased. Start by asking a friend or colleague, “what is it like to be you today?” Now the hard part – listen uninterrupted for 2 minutes. No affirmations, no questions. Warning: this may be seriously uncomfortable. But in 240 seconds you might just learn a lot.”

A Helpful Resource

Legal Advice

CMPA for medical legal advice:

1-800-267-6522

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

Endurance

“Endurance can be defined by the power of coping with an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving up. I am so amazed at my colleagues in the hospitals and community who continue to endure throughout the pandemic. One of my professional challenges is that the finish line keeps getting pushed farther away. Sports psychologists stress focus on today’s match and not the end game ensures best performance. For me, this may mean looking forward to a run with my daughter, a home cooked meal or a phone call with a friend at the end of the day.”

A Helpful Resource

Psychological First Aid

Helpful tool for staff and physicians to use after experiencing and upsetting event:

ABC123 PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID TOOL

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

Hugs

“I am normally not a hugger; just ask my wife. However, hugging increases a sense of connection, belonging and wellbeing. Studies have shown hugging actually stimulates our immune system and releases oxytocin. Normally I move in for a good pat on the shoulder, the half hug, back slap or new for me: fist bump. But in the appropriate situation with family and loved ones, a hug time of 3 seconds is the optimal effective dose to create that bond, feel good response according to studies.”

A Helpful Resource

Physician Health Program

1-800-663-6729

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

Flexibility

“I am working on my ability to become more flexible in life. This has been a challenge for me when faced with regular uncertainty during the pandemic. In the book Atomic Habits by Adam Clear, he states “the more you let a single belief define you, the less capable you are of adapting when life challenges you.” I am learning that sometimes being flexible will create new great opportunities and experiences for me. I find this actually quite liberating and energizing.”

Doc-to-Doc Member Tips

Insights and Tips From Members Like You

Dr. Fiona Duncan

Palliative Care Tips

Dr. Kelly Little

Environmental and Sustainability Tips

Dr. Jay Slater

Member Wellness

Dr. Daniel Dodek

Top Tips

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

RESPECT

A Helpful Resource

Smartphone Recordings

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

What is it like to be you today?

A Helpful Resource

Legal Advice

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

Endurance

A Helpful Resource

Psychological First Aid

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

Hugs

A Helpful Resource

Physician Health Program

Dr. Dan's Wellness Tip

Flexibility

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