Your Wellness

The Vancouver Division recognizes the importance of the health and wellness for our community. Below are Member Wellness resources and programs we hope you’ll find useful.

And, of course, if you’d like more information, please contact the Membership team at membership@vancouverdivision.com

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.”

The Division would like to acknowledge physician lead, Dr. Daniel Dodek for his ongoing commitment to bring wellness to the forefront of our communications and support. Dr. Dan writes a weekly physician wellness column to offer discussion and presentation of support centred around health and wellness. His ‘Dr. Dan Wellness Tips’ continue to provide comfort, reflection, and humour, through sharing an honest and relatable voice, which has become so important during this past year.

Dr. Dan’s Wellness Tips

If you’d like to contribute your expertise or knowledge as a guest or regular contributor, reach out to our membership team.

Bright Spot with Dr. Dan

Colorectal Cancer Can’t Hide From Screening

“Because I’ve known many of these patients for years, these are not anonymous statistics. They are individuals whose stories I know, whose families I’ve met, whose trust I’ve earned. That continuity of care brings deep meaning and joy to my work.” Inspired by a quality improvement initiative previously profiled by the HDC, Dr. Dodek and his team successfully encouraged 65 more patients to complete life-saving testing.

Read the Article

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.”

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.”

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.”

Dr. Dan’s Success Story

Physicians Pharmacist Collaboration

The role of the clinical pharmacist continues to be integrated into the Primary Care Networks (PCN) across Vancouver. This integration has focused on increasing awareness of the PCN Clinical Pharmacist role in comprehensive medication management, while also exploring what effective partnership between primary care providers and the PCN Pharmacist can look like.

Read the Article

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.”

Dr. Dan’s Wellness Resources

Peer Support Initiative Program

Physicians can benefit from sharing their challenging experiences with peers who may have experienced similar situations and can truly understand. Support from colleagues can have a positive impact on wellbeing and workplace experiences. This initiative offers confidential, non-clinical, support to physician colleagues by physician Peer Supporters in a 1:1 setting.

Peer Support Initiative

Doc-to-Doc Member Tips

Doc-to-Doc is a place to showcase the amazing and diverse leadership in the Vancouver Family Medicine community which each their own unique expertise and interests.

Browse through our other featured tips, or leave one of your own!

Doc-to-Doc Member Tips