Maternity Care for BC (MC4BC) promotes, supports and trains BC family physicians to reconnect with low-risk maternity services through mentorship, hands-on experience, and financial support.
Launched by the General Practice Services Committee (GPSC) in 2008, MC4BC encourages physicians to begin, maintain, or reintroduce low-risk obstetrical care in their practices, through mentorship, hands-on experience, and financial support. It is designed for physicians who want to:
- include obstetrical care in their practice
- refresh their obstetrical care skills or training
- gain additional obstetrical skills and experience.
MC4BC was relaunched in October 2014 with an expanded scope that includes post-program mentorship, antenatal/postpartum care support, moderated maximum number of births per participant (i.e. 20 births), and a self-directed learning experience.
The program offers flexibility with location, timelines, and schedules.
Funding
Each participant is eligible for taxable funding of up to $48,056 for:
Training Stipend (maximum $24,714.90)
For participants to cover income loss for labour and delivery in hospitals, and antepartum and postpartum care, including breastfeeding. Participants may not bill fee-for-service activities associated with attending a birth as part of this program
Travel Allowance (maximum $9,500)
For participants to cover travel to/from the obstetrical training facility and accommodations during the program
CMPA Obstetrical Insurance cost differential (maximum $100)
For participants to help cover the insurance upgrade during the training period
Additional Education Requirements (maximum $1,000)
For participants to meet educational requirements to obtain or maintain hospital privileges during the training period (i.e. NRP, Fetal Health Surveillance, ALARM, ALSO)
Eligibility
Eligible family physicians must have:
- obtained full registration and licensure from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC;
- obtained hospital obstetrical privileges for the hospital(s) in which the physician receives training;
- committed to do general practice obstetrics in BC upon completion of the program for a minimum of two years; and,
- completed all required application documentation.
Return of Service
Following the completion of the MC4BC program, participants agree to attend (and to permit GPSC to confirm with MSP), as primary provider, a minimum of 12 births over 24 months, practise obstetrics in BC, and to maintain hospital privileges for the purpose of practising obstetrics.
Applications and Timelines
Applications are reviewed and accepted in order of receipt from October 1, 2014 to March 1, 2015.
The MC4BC subcommittee reviews applications monthly and recommends applicants to the GPSC. Participants must begin training within six months of documented acceptance into the program, and are required to complete training within one year.
To apply to the program, or for further details, email the MC4BC Program Administrator.
