RCCbc | Rural Coordination Centre of BC » Sustaining Pediatrics in Rural and Underserved Communities (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 kicked off the first of its four-part educational series on December 2, 2020. It was a successful evening with more than 45 participants from communities all across BC. If you missed the first session, please see the link below. Registration is now open for the third session at 19:30-21:00 on March 30, 2021.

Register Today for Part Three!

If you missed Part One or Two, please email SPRUCe@rccbc.ca to request access to a recorded copy of the presentation.

PART ONE: Introduction to SPRUCe:

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2 | 7:30-9:00pm (Virtual)

Define SPRUCe and describe the goals of the network: (Dr Kirsten Miller from Prince George and Dr Jenny Retallack from Vancouver)
Outline three non-conventional/alternative models of general pediatrics service which are currently being utilized in rural and remote BC communities.
1. CHARLiE (Child Health Advice in Real Time Electronically) (Dr Alysha MacKenzie-Feder from Kelowna)
2. Long Term Metronomic Locum Support (Dr Mike Fazio from Vancouver)
3. “GP Extenders” in Pediatrics (Dr. Carrie Fitzsimons from Nelson, with input from Drs. Jennifer Cutting and Brenna Eldridge from Trail)

PART TWO: Government Programs available:

THURSDAY JANUARY 21 | 7:30-9:00pm (Virtual)

Discuss government initiatives which support the pediatric care in rural and remote BC communities
1. The Rural Practice Subsidiary Agreement (RSA)
2. The Rural Specialist Locum Program (RSLP)
3. The Rural Education Action Plan (REAP)
4. Rural recruitment support: Recruitment Incentive Fund, Recruitment Contingency Fund
5. The Northern and Isolation Travel Assistance Outreach Program (NITAOP)
6. Return of Service Programs through UBC
7. UBC Mentoring Program
Identify how these initiatives can be utilized in remote and rural communities
Identify how non-rural pediatric care providers can utilize these initiatives.
Identify how to support and access Pediatric Residents interested in rural medicine.

PART THREE: Details regarding Alternative Models of Service

TUESDAY MARCH 30 | 7:30-9:00pm (Virtual)

1. Explain in detail three alternative models of service already in use in some rural and remote communities. There will be specific discussion about how these programs could be applicable to you.
  1. CHARLiE – Real time virtual Pediatric support
  2. GP extender program
  3. Long term Metronomic Locum support

PART FOUR: Application of Alternative Models of Service in your Community

Date TBA

1. 1. Determine whether any of the 3 alternative models of service may be applicable to your practice/community and develop a strategy to move towards implementation
  2. Identify which community and regional supports may be necessary to implement the alternate models of service and describe an approach to securing the necessary support.
  3. Discuss potential areas of focus for SPRUCe, as identified by Pediatricians involved in the network.

This program was co-developed between Rural Coordination Centre of BC and BC Pediatric Society and was planned to achieve scientific integrity, objectivity and balance.

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and has been approved by UBC CPD for up to 1.5 MOC Section 1 Group Learning credits for EACH of the 4 sessions. These credits are translatable for the Maintenance of Certification Program of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Please contact SPRUCe@rccbc.ca for more information.