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Physician Leadership Training

Purpose

To support physicians in the development of their quality improvement and leadership skills, including leadership focus in areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as cultural safety and humility. 

How is this program funded?

Funding from the annual budget for the Specialist Services Committee is dedicated to support the Physician Leadership Scholarship Program. This program is a partnership with the Shared Care Committee (SCC) who allocate funding from their annual budget for the support of family doctors.

Courses and Conferences

What is funded?
  • Maximum funding of up to $10,000 per physician is available each fiscal year (April 1–March 31) and covers tuition or registration fees, accommodation, and travel costs.
  • The submitted costs must adhere to the travel policy as set by Doctors of BC.
  • This program functions on a reimbursement model consequently the physician must be willing to incur costs up front. Upon completion of course or conference, and with the submission of receipts and proof of completion, reimbursement is provided.
  • There is a three-month window for submission post-completion. For example, if completion occurs on April 2, the appropriate documents must be received no later than July 2.
  • Funds are reimbursed through electronic fund transfer (EFT), with payment two to four weeks after submission. Physicians must apply for scholarship funding and receive a letter of approval before enrolling in the course or conference. It is also recommended to delay the reorganization of clinical duties until you have received a decision letter.
  • Residents and physicians completing a fellowship in BC do not qualify for funding.
Criteria
  • Physicians who are fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or Certificants of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and who are actively practicing in BC.
  • Programs must be offered by recognized academic institutions, professional bodies and/or quality improvement organizations.
  • Focus of learning must be of core components of leadership or have a quality improvement emphasis. Quality improvement is defined as proven methods that lead to measurable improvements in health care services. Within the context of leadership capabilities, programs that focus on the development of leadership skills that support psychologically safe workplaces, Cultural Safety and Humility (CSH), or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are appropriate funding requests. Content is relevant to British Columbia health care provision. 
  • Physicians will be expected to participate in a scholarship program evaluation after completion.
  • Programs that develop leadership skills which support the construct of healthy workplaces. Specific topics could include areas such as psychological safety, conflict management, effective communication strategies, structural factors and potential solutions using an EDI lens etc.

Leadership Coaching

What is funded?

Receiving leadership coaching is quite different from leadership training. Coaching concentrates on performance enhancement in a specific area; it is goal-oriented and can be a short-term process or a longer iterative process. Within the context of PLSP, coaching must focus on the higher-level, workplace-specific skills. To be eligible for financial support for leadership coaching, the selected coach must be certified by the International Coaching Federation. Confirmation of this designation must be included in your application.

Note: The scholarship supports one application for coaching per physician; repeat participation in a coaching program will not be accepted. As part of their application, applicants must submit a coach's bio or CV along with the application. The coach should have experience coaching individuals in health care leadership roles and should hold the necessary certification as a coach in leadership.

Criteria
  • Physicians who are fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or Certificants of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and who are actively practicing in BC.
  • Applicants must submit a coach's bio/CV along with application. Coaches must  be certified by the International Coaching Federation.
  • The coach should have experience coaching individuals in health care leadership roles.
  • Coach holds the necessary certification as a coach and in leadership e.g., Master's Degree in Leadership, professional coaching certifications, etc.
  • Applicant will be entering into or currently holds a leadership position.
  • Coaching quote is available with breakdown of costs. 
  • The scholarship supports one application for coaching per physician.
  • Repeat participation in a coaching program will not be accepted.

Master's Programs

What is funded?
  • Maximum funding of up to $10,000 per physician is available each fiscal year (April 1–March 31) and covers tuition or registration fees, accommodation, and travel costs.
  • The submitted costs must adhere to the travel policy as set by Doctors of BC.
  • This program functions on a reimbursement model consequently the physician must be willing to incur costs up front. Upon completion of course or conference, and with the submission of receipts and proof of completion, reimbursement is provided.
  • There is a three-month window for submission post-completion. For example, if completion occurs on April 2, the appropriate documents must be received no later than July 2.
  • Funds are reimbursed through electronic fund transfer (EFT), with payment two to four weeks after submission.
  • Physicians must apply for scholarship funding and receive letter of approval before taking the course or conference.
  • Residents and physicians completing a fellowship in BC do not qualify for funding.
Criteria
  • Physicians who are fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or Certificants of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and who are actively practicing in BC.
  • Programs must be offered by recognized academic institutions, professional bodies and/or quality improvement organizations
  • Focus of learning must be of core components of leadership or have a quality improvement emphasis. Quality improvement is defined as proven methods that lead to measurable improvements in health care services. Within the context of leadership capabilities programs that focus on physician wellbeing, Cultural Safety and Humility (CSH), or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are appropriate funding requests. Content is relevant to British Columbia health care provision
  • Physicians will be expected to participate in a scholarship program evaluation after completion.

How It Works

  1. Interested physicians complete the application form online.
  2. The application must be received before the course start date.
  3. A determination regarding your application will be sent within two weeks of receipt. This will include your decision letter and link to claim form (if approved).
  4. After completing the course, applicants must submit proof of completion, the accurately completed claim form, and all relevant receipts (i.e., for tuition and any expenses) to the JCC Training team. In order to receive reimbursement for these costs, all information listed above must be submitted within three months of course completion. 
  5. Once processed by Doctors of BC Finance, the physician will receive a confirmation of payment, as well as a survey link to provide feedback on the course and the scholarship program.

Not Funded

  • Applications received after the course or conference has started
  • Clinically focused CME events or conferences
  • Time/compensation for attendance or travel time
  • Reimbursement to organizations that hold or develop custom courses
  • Repeat participation in a coaching program
  • Physician multi-source feedback activities (e.g., 360s)
  • Courses where funding responsibility rests elsewhere (i.e., Health Authorities), regardless of whether funding for those activities is considered inadequate
  • Courses relating to teaching in a university setting, for either medical students or residents. Physicians may approach UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Faculty Development department, to enquire about resources or supports.
  • Courses with a research focus. Physicians may approach UBC Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to enquire about resources or supports.

 

Frequently Asked Questions