New poverty intervention tool developed by doctors to enhance care for patients

The Kootenay Boundary Division of Family Practice has launched a new tool for family doctors to help them better understand how poverty may be impacting their patients’ health. The first of its kind in the province, the Poverty Intervention Tool provides doctors with a list of questions that help determine whether poverty is putting their patients at risk.

The document points to the need for family doctors to take a more pro-active approach in including poverty in health screening.

“Take diabetes as an example, which is a big issue across the province,” said Dr. Lee MacKay, Kootenay Boundary Division of Family Practice board chair. “The lowest income sector in BC has more than double the rate of diabetes compared to the highest income sector. This has a tremendous impact on our communities – an impact I witness daily in my practice.”

Click here to read the news release and view the Poverty Intervention Tool.