Much is going on in the world these days including wars and illicit drug overdose deaths.
The way to heal is through positive connection and healthy, longitudinal relationships (can you say Family Medicine?) .
Sending our prayers to the Ukraine and world… internal peace (through healthy, healing relationships) before world peace.
Out.
Happy 2022!!!
This is a blog that has not been visited in a long time (since last year)…
We have been a tad busy, but having lots of Family Medicine fun! ;D
Just the other day we started our inaugural Nanaimo Family Practice Noon Zoom Rounds with Dr. Tracy Monk starting the New Year right.
Huy ch q’u, Dr. Monk!!!
Hoping that everyone has a fantabulous 2022!
Peace and better health to the planet!
Dr.P
As a Family Doctor (and for that matter in many professions), when it comes to some of the less than joyful duties… many will say it is the endless Tasks and paperwork (can you say, forms, forms, forms?).
I get it… it can be less than glamourless… staring at an insurance company document, writing a medicolegal report or filling out a governmental form versus connecting with and helping patients in the office, on the phone or at the bedside, but we sometimes need to remind ourselves that this work is very important too. It helps the patient’s Social Determinants and Occupational Health… lest we forget.
And if you can’t remember where you have seen this Core Arm of Family Medicine then let me remind you: https://blueskyfamilymedicine.family.blog/2021/03/22/the-family-medicine-graphic-finally-comeths-here/ ;D
Why does that Doctor above look so happy? Well, he had just finished ALL of the Tasks and paperwork that had piled up over the past few weeks (maybe month?)! There is as much of a “helper’s high” and joy experienced when finishing the dreaded (overdue) paperwork versus helping patients in person. The pearl is to schedule dedicated time and space in a busy week to get it done (TOOL Z noted)! ;D
Helping our patients thrive and survive comes in many forms including forms. Lest we forget.
Peace to the planet!
Hi all!
We have been a wee bit busy building a Blue Sky Family Health Centre and helping heal the community… so my apologies for not posting lately. ;D
For today’s post I will let Doctors Goudie and Ogunyemi tell you their specialist perspective on the importance of Family Doctors (thank you!!!):
And for the record, there is NOT a Family Doctor shortage in Nanaimo (where have I heard that before? https://blueskyfamilymedicine.family.blog/2020/01/27/nanaimo-has-too-many-family-physicians/).
Thanks Dr. T!🙏 Nanaimo does not have a Family Doctor shortage… it's all about community resourcing (vs acute care and other things). Go ask Dr. Beerman, he knows: https://t.co/K7xnXTb825😉 https://t.co/H2t1x7Jl5p
— Dr. Derek Poteryko (@drpoteryko) October 23, 2021
Peace to the planet!
Dr.P
Happy August to all!
It’s been a summer of adventures and a new beginning.
In our community Family Doctor/Specialist Think Tank this week, one of our wise members shouted out this ask:
Thank you for this question… because the answer is not far nor complicated (at least for me!)! ;D
Joy and gratitude are the cure…
On Monday, we had a physician and clinician Zoom chat at our Health Centre – coming together as a team, connecting and collaborating to help our patients always brings me great joy and reminds me why I became a Family Doctor: having fun helping (and healing) people (and families)!
On Tuesday, I had the honour and privilege of teaching a 4th Year Medical Student – her curiosity and compassion for patients and their care were inspiring. I can tell you that the future is bright in Family Medicine!
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On Friday, I did a community Home Visit to the home of an elder and his wife (I met their lovely son as well) – we chatted about a great many things including him having a diagnosis of cancer and what his values and (End of Life) goals were. As said, there were a range of emotions experienced, but despite some of the heavy topics discussed, there was a sense of lightness and deeper connection shared (and dare I say, joy was experienced by this Doctor). We agreed that I would follow up with another visit in 3 to 4 weeks time.
Relational continuity and an ongoing therapeutic relationship are the key foundations of Family Medicine. Giving patients the peace of mind that they are not alone with these (sometime scary) diagnoses can make all the difference!
You are not alone (with your Family Doctor)!
It is such an honour and privilege to be able to serve my patients as their Family Doctor and it is this gratitude which continues to fill and fuel me!
And on the note of gratitude for Family Doctors, if you don’t believe me… listen to these fine folks!
Peace, joy and gratitude for all!
Dr.P
Our blue sky doctor dream
Came into the room a slender beam.
Lifting our worry
So that we can now hurry.
Our vision of wrap around care.
Leaving no one standing bare.
We will open the doors to all.
This will be our indigenous call.
The sound of our singers and our drum
Open to medical technology to come.
Together we will blend two world views into one .
Until we achieve equal care, then our work is done.
A call for learners, teachers and elders, hear this call.
To sit with the oldest cedars tall.
To ask that the work we do is in our hands.
That those teachings originated from our lands.
There is a calm wind in the village today.
As I wiped my tears as I look to the bay.
I am grateful
I believe today was fateful.
For our blue sky doctor.
—Yetta
Huy ch q’u, Yetta and community! 🙌
One of the unsung front line heroes (and I know there are many) during this pandemic – before and beyond have been Community Pharmacists!
I was reflecting on that this week when our friendly neighbourhood Community Pharmacist (thanks C at CD Dunsmuir!) called me about our patient who required some help with her medications (can you say Special Authority?!). The patient had an active stomach ulcer which required a better medication and she could not afford it.
It took me 2 minutes to fill the e-form, then e-faxed and the rest is history!
Pharmacists do amazing work in front and behind the scenes (double checking medication dosages, any interactions with other medications and indications are appropriate)! They are truly patient advocates and so very important. They belong in the Blue Sky Family Medicine universe and movement!
Peace to the planet!
In pictures…
In Nanaimo, 7 community Family Practice clinics have closed and one had a fire (May 2021) during the past 3 years.
There remain 12 clinics that practice full service Family Medicine in Nanaimo.
There are over 21,000 people in Nanaimo who do not have a Family Doctor or primary care provider.
With upcoming retirements and fewer younger Family Doctors choosing community Family Medicine, the future does not look so bright for longitudinal, relational care. 😦
Yet from the Nanaimo Division of Family Practice, there are over 20 Family Doctors looking for work in the Nanaimo area.
Makes you go hmmmmm…
What does a community do?
Stay tuned.
Way to go Team Canada on your Gold Medal World Championship Victory! They said it couldn’t be done… just like they said about Blue Sky Family Medicine (formerly Primary Care Plus)!
World peace with Family Medicine and hockey? ;D
Stay tuned, hockey fans and world!
Way back in 2019, a certain Family Doctor presented to Nanaimo City Council the success of Gabriola Island residents when it came to recruiting Family Doctors and building a community-owned Family Practice Clinic (check out 19:45)!
The blueprint for Blue Sky Family Medicine is before us!
Peace!
Blue Sky Family Medicine