Medical office staff play a central role in patient care, often serving as the first point of contact. Sometimes, these interactions can become tense, and having the right skills and resources to handle those situations can protect the well-being of staff while ensuring patients feel supported.
De-Escalation Tools for Medical Office Staff
To help with this, the Community Physician Health and Safety (CPHS) program, led by SWITCH BC and funded in partnership between Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health, has introduced new De-escalation Tools for Medical Office Staff. These resources, which were developed in collaboration with physicians and medical office staff, aim to help medical office teams improve workplace safety, reduce conflicts, and reduce the risk of violence in community settings.
The tools are accessible through SWITCH BC’s Community Physician Health and Safety portal and include:
- Free printable guides
- Reference sheets
- Dos and Don’ts Posters
- A patient code of conduct
- Learning resources
They are designed to support medical office staff in managing challenging patient encounters, while promoting safer and more inclusive clinical environments.
Learn more about the Community Physician Health and Safety program
The CPHS program was established to ensure community-based physicians and their staff have the resources and support needed to work and care for patients in safe environments. The program also helps physicians in understanding and complying with WorkSafeBC requirements related to workplace safety.
The new de-escalation tools are just one of several supports available through the program. Community physicians can also schedule free clinic health and safety assessments and access free, confidential Occupational Health and Safety advice by calling +1 844 743-2747, along with many other helpful services on the SWITCH BC website.
Your safety is our priority
Promoting a working environment where physicians feel physically and psychologically safe to provide patient care is a core priority in Doctors of BC’s strategic plan. You can learn more about our work to improve workplace safety on our Memorandum of Agreement webpage. If you would like to connect with Doctors of BC on this important topic, please use our contact form.
