Family Practice Anesthetists (FPA) Network

Developed and delivered a webinar series

A regional anaesthesia webinar series was developed and delivered. This program linked specialist anesthesiologists with the FPA network through an interactive series of educational and network-building online sessions about various regional anesthesia techniques. It also offered participants an opportunity to follow-up with support for FPAs to offer regional blocks to their patients within their communities with specialist coaching using real time virtual technology. Sessions were well-attended, and evaluations were very positive.

Hosted an in-person FPA Refresher conference

The annual FPA Refresher conference returned to a live format this year after years of virtual delivery. The conference was held in Vancouver at the Pinnacle Harbourfront on November 18-20, 2022. Attendance was slightly lower than in previous years, a predictable result as physicians gradually transition to a post pandemic way of life. Attendees came from across the country and the event was a success with very good evaluations. RCCbc generously provided significant financial supported for the event. Planning is underway for another in-person event for 2023.

Deployed a national survey

There is an absence of literature about the national FPA workforce, the capacity of rural hospitals to contribute to the expansion of surgical output and the relationships between rural surgical sites with larger centres in British Columbia and across Canada. This year the team developed and delivered a national survey titled “Canadian Anesthesia Workforce: An Environmental Scan of our Human Resources”. The survey was distributed across the BC network and also through national listservs in collaboration with the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society. Data analysis and publication efforts are underway.