What is SPRUCe?
Sustaining Pediatrics in Rural and Underserved Communities (SPRUCe) is a new network developed by pediatricians Dr. Kirsten Miller and Dr. Jenny Retallack with the support of the Rural Coordination Centre of BC. The goal of the network is to connect community pediatric providers (pediatricians, family physicians, residents, and nurse practitioners) who have an interest in supporting and sustaining excellence in pediatric care in rural and remote communities across British Columbia.
Through SPRUCe, rural and remote pediatric care providers in BC will have access to a network of pediatric providers from across the province who have similar working environments. The development of strong inter-regional relationships will enable sharing of information and peer support. The network will also facilitate the development and implementation of strategies with the primary aim of ensuring that high quality, sustainable pediatric care is available to all children, youth and families in rural and remote BC. Pediatric care providers living in non-rural communities who are interested in rural medicine will also have the chance to connect with rural and remote pediatric care providers to support the provision of rural pediatric care in BC.
SPRUCe Pediatrician Map
In working to support rural, remote and isolated Pediatrics in the province, SPRUCe has developed an interactive map identifying the names and locations of Pediatricians in smaller communities across BC. This map is designed to allow both pediatricians and pediatric sub-specialists to easily identify a community based pediatrician close to their patient’s home, allowing greater ease in follow-up, consultation and communication. Currently, only local community based pediatricians in smaller or remote communities are identified.
This map is a continuing work in progress. The goal is to add the locations and pediatricians who provide Pediatric outreach to smaller and remote communities in BC. If you are a Pediatrician currently involved in outreach, please email spruce@rccbc.ca so that we can add you on the map. Similarly, if you identify any information as being out of date, incorrect, or would like to be removed from the map, please let us know.
SPRUCe Newsletter
Keep up with news from SPRUCe by registering to receive the SPRUCe newsletter in your email inbox. Email spruce@rccbc.ca if you would like to be added. Our newsletters feature details about accredited CME sessions, evening sessions for residents about rural pediatric practice, and more!
Winter 2022, Volume 1, Issue 4
Summer 2022, Volume 2, Issue 1
Published Work
Supporting consulting paediatrics in rural, remote, or vulnerable communities in British Columbia: Time for national collaboration
Authors: Drs. Kirsten Miller, Alexander Benny, and Dr. Jennifer Retallack
Journal: Paediatrics and Child Health
Details: https://academic.oup.com/pch/advance-article/doi/10.1093/pch/pxab043/6328715?guestAccessKey=59103e67-8c80-4ec4-9643-7177bf982f06
Upcoming Events
Pain & Irritability of the Unknown Origin
Date: Thursday, September 29, 2022 7:30-9:00 pm PT
Where: Via Zoom
Register: Click here
Dr. Hal Siden, Medical Director for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Division Head Palliative Medicine at BC Children’s Hospital will lead this CME accredited session and cover the following learning objectives:
- Review a current study of a clinical pathway to address the problem
- Discuss n-of-1 study methodology and be introduced to example study on gabapentin
- Describe the problem of pain & irritability in children with neurological differences
- Discuss opportunities for community-based research participation
For more information on SPRUCe, please email SPRUCe@rccbc.ca.
