Public Education Series with Local Family Doctors
For Immediate Release
Oct 19, 2021
Fraser Northwest Division What’s Up Doc Education Series
Family Doctors from the Tri-Cities and New Westminster have started a free education series for the general public called What’s Up Doc. These are virtual events where Family Doctors discuss and answer questions on different health-related topics. Participants are encouraged to submit questions anonymously before the event using an online platform.
“We recognize that moving to a care home is one of the most stressful decisions you and your family can make; the choice can feel even more urgent if you have experienced a health crisis. If you find you are struggling with your physical health and activities of daily living, then moving into a care home might be right for you.”
- Dr. Nicholas Petropolis - Long-Term Care Physician, New Westminster
As long-term care is an important part of a person’s health and well-being, FNWD has made it the topic for the upcoming event on Oct 26, 2021, from 6:00pm - 7:30pm.
Past Events:
On Jun 21, 2021 FNWD launched its first What’s Up Doc event on Babies’ first-year growth & development with Dr. Christine Sorial. This interactive event allowed patients to ask questions related to babies’ health & development, and get answers from a Family Doctor who specializes in this area of family medicine.
“In Canada, the general consensus is to start introducing solids at 6 months of age. It is important to start with iron-rich food because at 6 months babies will lose the iron storage they built up in the uterus.” -Dr. Christine Sorial - Family Physician, Coquitlam
For the following month on July 19, 2021 FNWD hosted a What’s Up Doc General Town Hall where participants had the opportunity to ask questions on any health-related topics.
Why do we have such a shortage of family doctors?
This is a question patients often ask, and it was asked at our General Town Hall.
“We see 30-35 patients a day because there is such a demand and we have a really hard time saying no. We accept more patients than we should because there are heartbreaking stories so we want to help. After seeing all of these patients, we have to finish the paperwork: take notes, make referrals, review reports including consults, lab results, and investigations. This is usually 70 documents a day. When the new doctors see this, they get scared. We have to assure them it's not so scary, but it is a process.” -Dr. Anna Chodyra - Family Physician, Coquitlam
The August topic for the What's Up Doc series was Palliative care. Palliative care is a medical approach to caregiving that assists medically ill patients and their families in improving the quality of their lives while facing fatal illness.
“I watched to see what was being presented to the general public audience. I was impressed that the usual questions and fears we field from patients and families were addressed directly and thoroughly.” - Family Doctor, FNW Division
To make these events meaningful to the general public, the Division requests members of the public to bring forward topics and areas of interest for future webinars. Anyone who has recommendations can complete this form.
As a way to stay informed on upcoming Fraser Northwest Division events folks can subscribe to the newsletter or follow on social media and check out the events calendar for new What’s Up Doc events.
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Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice is one of 35 divisions in British Columbia that make up the Divisions of Family Practice, an initiative of the Family Practice Services Committee, a partnership between the Province of B.C. and Doctors of B.C. Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice currently has over 400 members that provide primary care services in Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.
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Media contact
Kristan Ash
