FP Lead: Dr. Uzma Mashood

 

In April of 2024, the Surrey-North Delta Division of Family Practice showcased eight health system enhancement initiatives that we and our partners have been undertaking in our community. These are the stories behind the storyboards.  

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When Dr. Uzma Mashood left the UK to begin family practice in Surrey, she had to adjust not only to a new way of life, but to a very different healthcare system as well. That is one reason that she chose to sign on to the NTP contract.  

“When you are in a new healthcare system, there are a lot of things that may challenge you every day,” she explains. “Being an IMG and having no understanding or experience of the Canadian healthcare system, I am glad I had my start in Canada under this contract.”  

Not only does Dr. Mashood work in a clinic where there are other NTP contracted physicians, but she chairs the SND Division’s NTP FP community of practice – a group formed by the Division to provide support for physicians in the community who had opted into what was at the time a brand new type of contract. For Dr. Mashood and other NTP FPs, having this kind of peer support was a key to success during a critical time in their careers.  

“I was worried that I would be a physician struggling alone to understand a new system but NTP support helped me not feel stranded.” 

The Physician Engagement and Practice Support team, which spearheaded the NTP CoP initiative, provides insight into the process below. 

--> Want to learn more? See our storyboard HERE.

 

What have been the highlights of working on this initiative? 

Bringing together a group of physicians who are new to Surrey-North Delta and seeing physicians working collaboratively to support each other has been a highlight of this work. But most importantly, the NTP CoP is enabling us to develop a sense of community in which NTP FPs feel safe, can engage with our Division, and can start to shape what they would like to see in their community. Their experience and mentorship have also supported the recruitment of more new physicians to Surrey-North Delta.   

Why do you feel that the work being done here is important? What is the impact you’re hoping it will have for physicians? For patients? 

Because NTPs are new to the community, they may not know where to turn when they encounter challenges. We can bring in stakeholders to help our NTP FPs find potential solutions to their challenges, assist with attachment and enhance access for their patients. In turn, we are able to leverage these physicians’ expertise for our working groups and other physician-led work. Because we are now aware of the questions and concerns our NTP FPs are encountering with the NTP contract, we can provide feedback to the Ministry of Health and Fraser Health for future NTPs.  

As physicians start to develop a sense of belonging in Surrey-North Delta, they are more likely to stay and continue to care for their patients here. 

How has member participation contributed to this project’s success? 

Quarterly meetings are held with more than 80% of our community’s NTP FPs attending. New members continue to be added and welcomed. Through these meetings, we have been able to create dialogue and networks which extend beyond the CoP meetings. 

What’s next for this work? 

NTP FPs play an important role in our community and we see a number of exciting opportunities for this group. Some of these opportunities include supporting NTP FPs to become mentors for newer NTP FPs; supporting existing clinics to build their attachment capacity with the help of NTP FPs; and inviting NTP FPs to become involved in exciting new initiatives, including our PCN. 

As the NTP CoP matures, we plan to transition it into a more self-sustaining platform for NTP FP connection. Because NTP FPs are practicing in communities across the province, we also see an opportunity to expand to foster connections and collegiality with other NTP FPs in the Fraser Region, and even beyond! 

How can members get involved? 

If a member knows of any physicians who are interested in coming to Surrey-North Delta, they can reach out to their PES Lead who will be happy to discuss various payment model options with the prospective physician so they can evaluate the pros and cons of each model and determine which one might be right for them. 

At the Division, we aim to make physicians feel welcome even before coming to SND.