Physician Health and Safety

2026

Implementation of the renewed Memorandum of Agreement on Physical and Psychological Health and Safety (MOA PHS) continues, with a focus on advancing provincial and regional physician health and safety priorities and strengthening occupational health and safety supports for physicians across BC.

2025

The MOA PHS was renewed in the 2025 Physician Main Agreement. More details will be shared with members soon.

2023

Doctors of BC published a report: First Steps: A Summary Report on the First Memorandum of Agreement of Physician Health and Safety 2019-2022.

2022

The 2022 MOA PHS was renewed in the 2022 Physician Master Agreement, now known as the Physician Main Agreement, formalizing many of the initiatives first established in the 2019 PMA.

The 2022 MOA PHS included expanded support to review issues, approve activities, and engage health authorities on physician health and safety. This includes:

• Increased funding to $2M per year over the term of the Agreement (2022–2025).
• Expanded scope to address health and safety for community physicians through a new oversight working group supported by SWITCH BC.

2019

The 2019 MOA PHS was created to address gaps in occupational health and safety processes and supports for physicians, and to provide physicians with the opportunity to be included in widespread systemic change to better support physical and psychological health in the workplace.

A joint provincial committee/working group between the Ministry of Health, health authorities, and Doctors of BC that serves as the engagement and consultation forum for health and safety issues at a provincial level. This group provides advice and recommendations to the Ministry of Health, the Physician Medical Services Executive Committee (PMSEC), and the Regional Health and Safety Working Groups.

Based upon a recommendation by this group for a uniform provincial process for OHS data collection for physicians, MS WHITE is being implemented to help support individual physicians when issues occur and identify trends in hazards and risks. Learn more in the Overview and FAQ documents.

These working groups have been established within each health authority and are comprised of Doctors of BC physician representatives, Regional Advisors and Advocates, and staff from Health Authority Medical Affairs and the Occupational Health and Safety department.

Each Regional Physician Health and Safety Working Group engages on matters of importance regarding regional physician health and safety to develop activities, projects, and initiatives that can be funded under the Agreement.

An internal group, comprised of Doctors of BC physician representatives and Doctors of BC staff, that aims to provide updates to and plan/prioritize ideas for the Provincial Physician Health and Safety Working Group and each Regional Working Group.

In 2022, the MOA PHS included a component specifically dedicated to community physicians, governed by an Oversight Group comprising representatives from the Ministry, physicians, Doctors of BC, and SWITCH BC staff.

This group supports physicians working in the community in meeting their obligations regarding occupational health and safety (OHS), psychological and physical health and safety, violence prevention, and the creation and maintenance of safe work environments.

The program has evolved to provide several supports for physicians and their staff working in the community. Examples include a free clinic assessment with an OHS Advisor, a dedicated phone line for emergency OHS queries, de-escalation tools for medical office staff, and a comprehensive tool that allows clinics to build their own tailored health and safety program. Learn about these tools and more on the CPHS webpage.

This group focuses on the implementation and evaluation of violence prevention training for physicians. The refreshed and accredited online module, Physician Violence Prevention, is currently available for physicians and medical staff. Additional in-person training for physicians in high-risk areas is in development.

Surrey Memorial Hospital Workplace Culture Initiative with En-Gauge Consulting (September 2024–Present)

This initiative supports improvements to workplace culture at Surrey Memorial Hospital through confidential interviews, culture assessments, focus groups, and facilitated action planning with medical staff and leadership.

The work aims to identify workplace challenges, strengthen collaboration and psychological safety, and develop practical actions that support a healthier and safer work environment for physicians and patient care.

New Medical Staff OHS Orientation - User Experience Testing (February–May 2026)

Medical staff participated in user experience testing of a new Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) orientation for contracted medical staff. Physician feedback was used to assess the clarity, accessibility, and relevance of the orientation and identify improvements to help medical staff better understand workplace safety protocols, hazards, and responsibilities.

Medical Staff Laser Safety Course Evaluation (February–March 2026)

Practicing physicians participated in user experience testing of the Laser Safety for Physicians course. Their feedback helped assess the course's clarity, usability, accessibility, and clinical relevance, and identify improvements to ensure the training supports physicians in safely using lasers in clinical environments while meeting occupational health and safety requirements.

Peace Arch Hospital Workplace Culture Assessment with TWI and En-Gauge Consulting (July 2026–Present)

This initiative engages En-Gauge Consulting as an independent third party to conduct confidential interviews with physicians and key clinical partners at Peace Arch Hospital. The assessment will identify workplace culture strengths, challenges, and underlying themes and provide recommendations to support physician psychological health and safety, collaboration, and a healthier workplace culture.

Royal Inland Hospital Psychological Safety Initiative (2024–2025)

In response to psychological safety and workplace culture concerns within the Royal Inland Hospital OBGYN department, Engage Consulting was brought in to support the team in strengthening workplace relationships, team culture, and morale. Learnings from the initiative also helped inform approaches to supporting psychologically safe and healthy medical staff teams across Interior Health.

Physician Lead - Medial Staff Safety and Wellness (2024–Present)

A dedicated physician leadership role providing strategic direction for medical staff occupational health, safety, wellness, and violence prevention across Interior Health. The role brings physician perspectives into organizational decision-making, supports the identification and mitigation of safety risks, and strengthens physician engagement in initiatives that promote safer and more supportive workplaces.

Moral Injury Support for Medical Staff During Pediatric Crisis at KGH (2025)

An initiative providing direct emotional support to physicians experiencing workplace distress and moral injury during a period of significant system pressures at Kelowna General Hospital. The project focused on providing education and practical tools related to moral injury and resilience while supporting the restoration of working relationships and systems of trust.

KGH Wellness Conference Speaker (2025)

Supported the KGH Wellness Conference by funding a speaker for the half-day event focused on physician wellness, connection, and psychological safety. The conference brought participants together for learning and discussion on topics supporting well-being and a positive workplace culture.

Self and Relational Awareness Workshop – Dr Tom Lloyd (2024)

Two day-long workshops supported physicians and medical leaders in strengthening self-awareness, communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills. The sessions focused on practical strategies for building psychologically safe teams, managing diverse workplace relationships, setting boundaries, and supporting effective collaboration.

Medical Staff Anti-Racism Position Statement and DEI Engagement (2024)

Medical staff focus groups provided physicians with opportunities to share their experiences and perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion at Island Health. Feedback helped inform Island Health's anti-racism position statement, future DEI planning, and medical staff leadership and inclusion initiatives.

Culture Conference (2024)

An in-person leadership event focused on inclusive leadership and psychological safety for medical staff and medical leaders. Through speakers, practical tools, and interactive learning, participants explored strategies to strengthen inclusive leadership, constructive feedback, authenticity, and psychological safety within health care teams.

New Medical Leader Training (2025)

A training program for new medical staff leaders focused on building psychologically safe and inclusive health care teams. Facilitated modules addressed self and relational awareness, communication and conflict resolution, while also creating opportunities for new leaders to build collegiality, peer support, and connection.

Medical Staff Violence Risk Assessment Engagement (2026–Present)

This initiative supports physician participation in Island Health Violence Risk Assessments so medical staff perspectives are incorporated into workplace violence prevention planning. The project aims to strengthen risk assessments, increase awareness of violence prevention processes and supports, and contribute to safer workplaces for physicians and other health care workers.

Safety Orientation for Medical Staff (2024–2025)

Development of a comprehensive safety orientation program to provide physicians and medical staff with clear, accessible information about workplace health and safety procedures, resources, and supports.

The initiative includes safety-focused e-learning and orientation content on topics such as emergency codes, hazard identification, safe work practices, bullying and harassment, personal protective equipment, and blood and body fluid exposure.

Safety Change Management for Medical Staff (2024–2025)

Development of a communication and change management approach to support the integration of occupational health and safety practices into the everyday work of medical staff. Physician engagement is helping identify effective communication approaches and inform tools and resources that support participation in safety initiatives, orientation, training, fit testing, and violence prevention.

Emergency Department Management - Acute Agitation and Psychosis (2026–Present)

An initiative to strengthen emergency department safety orientation, particularly for locum and newly privileged physicians, by improving access to guidance for managing aggressive patients, including least-restraint and medical-restraint practices. The project combines concise point-of-care resources with digital learning to support consistent, safe practices across Northern Health emergency departments.

Post-Incident Support for Medical Staff (2026–Present)

A phased initiative to strengthen how physicians and medical staff are supported following critical incidents and psychologically unsafe events. The project will review current processes, clarify available supports and responsibilities, and develop more consistent, compassionate and trauma-informed pathways for immediate response, psychological support, practical assistance, and follow-up.

Physician Wellness Rounds (2026–Present)

A series of hybrid wellness sessions designed to support physician well-being, peer connection, and psychological safety across Northern Health's rural and urban communities. Sessions will explore occupational stressors such as moral distress, workload, team dynamics and conflict, burnout and recovery, boundary-setting, and sustaining meaning in clinical practice.

Medical Staff Incident Reporting Tool and Follow Up Services (2024–2025)

The Medical Staff Incident Self Reporting (MS-ISR) tool and follow-up mechanism for contract Medical Staff is a joint initiative between PHSA Medical Affairs and the Safety and Prevention Team within PHSA, together with Doctors of BC and Fraser Health Authority. This pilot project established an online reporting mechanism to improve safety, track incident statistics and enhance follow-up support for contract medical staff.

Physician Psychological Safety Curriculum Pilot (2024–2025)

A six-module series that highlights principles, strategies, and specific skills that support operationalization and integration of the gifted Coast Salish teachings with the concepts and outcomes of psychological safety. This curriculum is facilitated by leaders from PHSA’s OSWELL and Psychological Health and Safety teams.

The two-hour modules are evidence-based and highly interactive, offering opportunities for assessment, skills practice, and knowledge exchange.

AI Scribe Psychological Safety Survey (2025)

The objective of this study was to explore the impact on AI scribes on physical health, psychological well-being and work-life balance through semi-structured interviews to explore medical staff perspectives on the relationship between AI scribe use, documentation burden, physical health, psychological well-being and work-life balance.

OSWELL Personnel Supports (2025–2026)

Doctors of BC and PHSA co-funded project manager and project coordinator positions to support projects within PHSA’s Office for Medical Staff Safety and Wellbeing (OSWELL) that aim to improve medical staff safety.

PHSA Safety and Health Week (2026)

An annual initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the prevention of injuries and illnesses in the workplace. PHSA partnered with Doctors of BC to promote key messages, resources, and educational opportunities that support physician safety, psychological wellbeing, and healthy work environments.

Improving Physician Wellness Through Systems Change (2023–Present)

A multi-phase initiative addressing physician burnout by identifying and improving the system-level factors that affect wellness. Through physician engagement, focus groups and collaboration with operational leaders, the project identifies workplace barriers and develops practical solutions.

The current phase expands this work across PHC, maps common drivers of burnout, and develops tools and monitoring processes to support sustainable, organization-wide improvements in physician wellness.

Virtual Reality-Based Violence Prevention Training (2025)

A pilot using virtual reality to provide physicians with an interactive and scenario-based approach to violence prevention training. Physicians in higher-risk clinical areas can safely practise de-escalation and violence prevention skills in simulated environments, while the project evaluates whether VR can improve engagement, confidence, and the overall training experience.

Medical Staff Teams Communication (2025–Present)

Development and rollout of a Microsoft Teams-based communication hub to give medical staff easier access to key information and resources, including occupational health and safety, wellness, and Medical Affairs support.

Following an initial pilot with four clinical groups, the initiative is expanding across PHC with tailored onboarding, communication resources, and change management support to strengthen information sharing, collaboration, and medical staff engagement.

Advancing the Medical Staff Wellness Action Plan – Medical Staff Onboarding and Orientation (2025–Present)

Work to strengthen the medical staff onboarding experience by making information about health and safety, organizational structures, and available supports clearer and easier to access. The initiative includes plans for consolidated, user-friendly resources and improved orientation materials and delivery approaches.

Medical Staff Occupational Health Services (mPOSH) (2020–Present)

Originally established in response to COVID-19, mPOSH provided dedicated occupational health support for physicians, including communicable disease exposure management and follow-up for workplace health and safety concerns.

The program has since evolved beyond its pandemic response and is transitioning into VCH's Occupational Health and Safety structures, with a broader focus on sustainable, integrated occupational health and safety services for medical staff.

Wellness Advisor (2026–Present)

A dedicated role supporting the transition and development of occupational health and safety services for medical staff at VCH. The Wellness Advisor helps coordinate existing services, strengthen physician engagement, and support the development and integration of sustainable medical staff OHS programs, resources, data and reporting processes across VCH.