Program Helps MD4ME Prioritize Security and Technology

Accessing Support and Funding Through the Vancouver Division of Family Practice

“It’s been a really good experience,” says Dr. Laura Hume. “The Vancouver Division is very accessible, responsive, and helpful.”

Dr. Hume is the Medical Director of the MD4ME Clinic, a comprehensive family practice and walk-in clinic in Vancouver. The fast-growing clinic took advantage of last year’s Patient Medical Home (PMH) Connectivity and Digitization Program, which provided a free one-on-one Security and Technology Assessment, involving an on-site visit and consultation with a technical consultant to help clinics make better use of technology and enhance overall security. It is just one of the ways that the Vancouver Division provided support to member family practitioners and their teams.

Strengthening Privacy and IT Security

The clinic had only recently opened when they participated in the Program. The technical consultants at the Vancouver Division helped the clinic find resources and materials to use as templates to establish a privacy and IT security plan. Dr. Hume credits the Program with reinforcing their clinic’s focus on confidentiality.

“They helped us set up two-factor authentication, suggested a privacy screen for a computer positioned near a window, and implemented several other measures that prioritized clinic and patient confidentiality,” she explains.

The Vancouver Division’s technical consultant also provided peace of mind by assessing the steps the clinic had already taken to protect patient data and security.

“We were told that our existing security system met a high standard,” says Dr. Hume. “It’s good to get reassurance on things we had already put in place.”

Practical and User-Friendly Resources

Of course, technical information is only as valuable as one’s ability to apply it. Dr. Hume
appreciated the well-structured report she received after the sessions. This report contained a thorough and customized assessment of their clinic’s security and
technology, and provided suggestions to improve their clinic security.

“It was well-organized and easy to follow,” she says. “This was really helpful because some of the information was technical and tricky to retain.”

Leveraging Technology to Enhance Efficiency

Ashley Rahiman, Director and Co-Founder of the clinic, draws on over a decade of experience in healthcare, supporting doctors in clinic setup and workflow optimization. She advocates for software platforms and other technologies that streamline operations.

“Properly using these systems can eliminate tedious administrative tasks and make medical office jobs more productive and enjoyable,” she says. This program aimed to help clinics find and access resources to help ease the technology burden on clinics.

“It frees up MOAs to focus on other responsibilities, such as managing patient flow and other critical roles within the clinic,” adds Dr. Hume.

“Running a clinic takes a lot of time, so support of this nature is valuable,” she says. “Doctors appreciate it when technology is user-friendly.”

More Than Just A Visit: Ongoing Support for Clinics

In addition to the Program’s on-site security assessment and subsequent offer of funding to implement the recommendations they received, Ashley and Dr. Hume also expressed their appreciation for other support the Vancouver Division offers, such as training events, recruitment assistance, and the biweekly Fast Facts newsletter.

While the Program will not have an on-site security assessment this coming year, the
knowledge gained from their participation in the Security and Technology Assessment continues to be beneficial.

“We now have a folder with a plan in place,” explains Dr. Hume. “If a privacy breach or an IT issue were to occur, we can refer to the document for helpful guidance.”

The 2025/26 Program continues to offer support to family physician primary care offices. Do you have a question? Email concierge@vancouverdivision.com

Could your clinic also benefit from the Connectivity and Digitization Program?