You’re finally at the end of your training, and it’s time to transition into practice, an exciting and potentially daunting venture. Resident Doctors of BC strives to provide its soon-to-graduate members with the resources they need to make a smooth transition.
Transitioning to Practice
Preparing for Independent Practice
- Information Sources
BC Family Doctors: Tools & Resources
Members of BC Family Doctors have access to Tools & Resources.
CMA New in Practice Guide
This comprehensive guide covers important issues for transitioning into practice, such as evaluating practice opportunities, the business side of medicine, medical billing, financial planning and insurance, and medical law. Read the 2017 edition.
Divisions of Family Practice: Resource, Recruitment, and Retention Portal
Divisions of Family Practice has launched a new one-stop web portal created to make it easier for new family doctors to join BC communities.
Divisions of Family Practice BC: Practice Toolkit
The Practice Toolkit is a new online resource to help BC doctors manage practices of all sizes efficiently and effectively. Comprehensive and customizable to suit any GP or specialist’s practice, the toolkit contains information and sample documents covering:
- Workplace safety
- Employee conduct
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Facility checklists
- Clinician contracts
- Confidentiality agreements
Doctors of BC
Doctors of BC has several resources available for residents transitioning to practice:
- Starting Your Practice which will help physicians in the top 5 things they need to do when starting to practice, support with financing, benefits physicians can access through Doctors of BC, GPSC and SSC
- Managing Your Office which supports resources for the office including policy and signage, government grants, and Club MD offers (this one is member specific) which now has business support needs that include preferred rates for lawyers, accountant, resume, cover letter, and interview preparations, Staples Canada and Mills Office for office supplies and furniture discounts
- Contingency Planning Toolkit that guides physicians through planning for the unexpected
- Human Resources Toolkit which starts with the hiring and onboarding process of employees complete with job descriptions and interview questions
Joule Resources
CMA through Joule has a number of resources for residents transitioning into practice including modules on legal issues, remuneration options, negotiating a locum, and starting a practice. They also have checklists for the end of residency and starting as a professional.
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
The Royal College has a number of general information and clinical/professional development resources available to those transitioning to practice.
They also have billing information for each of the provinces and resources for managing your practice and work life balance.
All of their transition resources are available on their website.
Society of General Practitioners of BC: Simplified Guide to Fees
A searchable and detailed reference guide for billable services.
UBC Transition Into Practice
UBC provides resources on a variety of topics for residents who are preparing for the next step, including how to develop a medical curriculum vitae, where to find job postings and job fairs. It also provides information on financial and office management topics, such as incorporation, office space purchase, and contract negotiation. Visit their website.
UBC is hosting a seminar series running September 2015 – June 2016 on the first Tuesday of each month on various topics relating to transitioning to practice. For a list of the topics and event details visit Transition to Practice Events.
HealthForceOntario Transition into Practice Service
Planning to practice in Ontario? Transition into Practice Service (TiPS) modules provide practical, career-focused information sourced from experts throughout Ontario’s health-care sector. Links to further learning are also provided, where available.
- Employment Opportunities
BCMJ Classifieds
The BC Medical Journal has a classifieds section of advertised employment opportunities in BC.
CMA Dr Careers
The CMA’s career centre for physicians is available at drcareers.ca
Divisions of Family Practice BC
Vancouver Division
VDFP has developed a personalized matching mechanism providing assistance to any GP seeking locum, and permanent opportunities in Vancouver-based clinics. There are numerous locum opportunities, raging from short-term to turnkey practice takeovers. See this link for details.
Health Match BC
Health Match BC is a free professional recruitment service that offers a database of positions available across BC.
Locummunity
Locummunity is a service to find locum positions across the country.
Society of General Practitioners of BC
Search for family practice opportunities across British Columbia in an easily filterable format on the SGP’s locum and job listing website.
- Training/Workshops
Canadian Medical Association
Practice Management Curriculum
The CMA, through Joule offers Practice Management Curriculum, with seminars at universities across the country throughout the year. For their current offerings visit their website.
MD Management: Preparing for Practice
The CMA and MD Management offer a full suite of professional and leadership resources to help residents as they transition from residency into practice. Their integrated suite of clinical, practice management and financial services is designed to meet your unique needs and save you time.
Doctors of BC
Practice Management Presentations
Doctors of BC’s insurance department is offering 15-60 minute presentations on a number of topics relating to practice. Contact them to schedule one for your next academic half day. View details here.
UBC
Coaching and Mentoring Program (CAMP)
This program by UBC CPD is designed to connect rural physicians to peer mentor/coaches who can support them in whichever ways they may need, including transitioning into rural practice. CME credits are available for mentees, and mentor/coaches are offered accredited training and are compensated financially for their time. More information.
Transition Tuesdays
UBC provides monthly workshops on various transition topics. Visit their Calendar of Events to see what the upcoming topics are.