Dr Curt Smecher Announces his run for the Presidency of Doctors of BC!

Finally!! we got #papaQI back on the show!! Dr Curt Smecher was on episode 2 of the show and now on episode 60!!!

I was excited when Dr Smecher broke the news to me a few days ago that he was thinking of running for Doctors of BC presidency!!

Curt started the Physician QI program in 2014. The program has taught me so much about teamwork, collaboration, cocreation with patient partners, governance, facilitation, the science of improvement, the quintuple aim, and leadership. I get to thank Curt for that here and we chat about some of the wins of the program.

Here's an AI summary of the chat for those who cant watch the whole thing:

Curtis shared his decision to run for the Presidency of the Doctors of British Columbia, aiming to bring diverse voices and ensure the physician voice is heard. Lawrence discussed the physician quality improvement (PQI) program, which involved classroom learning and workshops with patient partners contributing their perspectives.

Breaking Down Silos in Healthcare System

Curtis and Lawrence discussed the need for collaboration and breaking down silos in the healthcare system to address complex problems effectively. They highlighted the importance of understanding mandate letters from the ministry and health authorities to align their work with the overall direction. Curtis emphasized the issue of hierarchy in the system, where those who don't know how to do a job are telling others how to do it. They agreed that the biggest problem in BC healthcare is the siloed approach, which prevents effective system-wide fixes. Lawrence appreciated the consensus decision-making approach that Curtis shared, which often results in better decisions than majority vote. They also discussed the importance of patient involvement in healthcare systems, with Curtis stressing the need for transparency and early patient involvement in designing services. The conversation concluded with Lawrence asking Curtis what one thing he wished all physicians knew.

Improving Healthcare System and Physician Engagement

Curtis and Lawrence discussed the importance of re-engaging with the healthcare system and reducing stress and burnout among physicians. They agreed on the need for system redesign and emphasized the value of mentorship and leadership training. They also highlighted the significant impact of the Physician Quality Improvement (PQi) program on the healthcare system in British Columbia, its extensive reach, and its effectiveness in improving the system. They discussed the evolution of physician-administrative relationships and the importance of a systems perspective in healthcare. They agreed on the need for a shift in their approach to healthcare, moving from transactional to relationship-based care, and the necessity of reversing the trend of transactional care.

Addressing Physician Retention and System Improvement

Curtis discussed the challenges faced by Port Alberni in retaining family practice physicians and the strategies employed to address this issue, including the establishment of a community-owned clinic and an internal medicine clinic. Curtis emphasized the importance of finding common ground and engaging the community to address these issues. He also highlighted the need to identify and connect talent with the desire to improve the system. Curtis proposed solutions such as a different business model for family physicians and nurse practitioners, utilizing rural paramedics for home visits, and Project Echo, a program from New Mexico that enabled rural physicians to manage their patients more effectively. Lawrence agreed with Curtis, emphasizing the need to leverage untapped resources and find policy and collaboration to improve the healthcare system. They expressed excitement about the possibility of these talks leading to positive changes.

Diverse Roles and Experiences Discussed

Curtis discussed his diverse roles and experiences, which often led to people misunderstanding his identity or perspective. He shared his background as a marine biologist, computer scientist, and various roles in operations research departments, as well as his work as a paramedic, consultant, Canadian Ranger, Army Reserve, sports teacher, and Vice President of Ice Park. Curtis also shared his passion for teaching outdoor skills and hunting to Aboriginal youth and his roles as a PAL instructor for firearm safety and a core instructor for hunting. Lawrence expressed his admiration for Curtis's leadership and commitment to flattening hierarchies and promoting a better future.