375 BC doctors 'walked the talk' across the province

Now in its eighth year, Walk with your Doc continues to grow in its pursuit of encouraging and supporting patients to live an active lifestyle. Developed by Doctors of BC, Walk with your Doc provides a great opportunity for doctors to connect with groups of patients, to walk side by side, discuss the health benefits that walking provides, and demonstrate their commitment to support patients in leading a healthier lifestyle. Doctors around the province held a total of 63 walks – a new record – this May. Here are just some of the highlights. 

Doctors of BC President Dr Alan Ruddiman hosted an event in his hometown of Oliver BC where he was joined by medical colleagues, physiotherapists, Parks and Recreation staff, and patients for a walk in the sunny South Okanagan. He writes about his experience in his latest blog post.

Walk with your Doc was a hit in Northern British Columbia as Terrace held its first event drawing 12 Doctors, 30 Volunteers and 161 participants to get out and get moving. The event saw Northern Health staff, the Division of Family Practice, Physiotherapists, Doctors, and community members come together for a successful walk.

On Vancouver Island 55 Parksville residents joined their doctors for a seaside walk and the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice partnered with local specialists to encourage their entire patient population to participate in their Courtenay event. In Nanaimo, Dr Derek Poterynko spoke about how Walk with your Doc is an opportunity to get exercise while asking pressing questions. “We walk the walk and talk the talk,” he said. “We may still prompt you back to your physician...but we're there to answer your health-related questions.”

In the Lower Mainland Dr Davidicus Wong summarized the spirit of Walk with your Doc saying “The message is simple: physical activity is important to your health, and walking is one form of activity that most of us can do.” Dr Wong and the Burnaby division of Family hosted their walk in Bear Creek Park, braving the rain to get out and walk the talk.

The 2017 Walk with your Doc event took place May 6- 14 and saw more than 375 doctors prescribe exercise to their patients at more than 60 walking events across British Columbia. For more information visit the Walk with your Doc website at walkwithyourdoc.ca.