Image: Supplied by Dr. Joneson / Dr. Darren Joneson of Spectrum Medical in Chilliwack says he welcomes the new compensation model for B.C. family doctors announced earlier this week. Dr. Joneson has been an outspoken, sometimes passionate critic of the existing model.
By Mike Vanden Bosch
B.C. health care

Outspoken Chilliwack family doctor welcomes new payment model for doctors; B.C. govt. hikes GP pay to $385K a year

Nov 3, 2022 | 9:27 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack family doctor and Spectrum Medical owner Dr. Darren Joneson has been an outspoken catalyst in Chilliwack for the overhaul of the existing compensation model in which B.C. family doctors are paid on a per-patient basis, but administrative tasks are not factored in.

That’s about to change starting in 2023, when family doctors in British Columbia are getting a significant raise under the province’s new compensation model as part of a plan to address the crisis in the health care system.

According to the Canadian Press, the provincial government says a full-time family doctor will be paid about $385,000 a year, up from the current $250,000, under the new three-year Physician Master Agreement reached with Doctors of BC last week.

That’s welcome news to Dr. Joneson, who has advocated consistently to the point that he met with both MLAs for Chilliwack, Dan Coulter and Kelli Paddon.

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“If the model is actually delivered as announced today, I am very optimistic and hopeful for the future of primary care in B.C.,” Dr. Joneson wrote in an email. “This announcement shows that grassroots advocacy and collaboration can improve the lives of patients in B.C. I express gratitude for those in B.C. Healthcare Matters, B.C. Family Doctors for Patient Care, B.C. Family Doctors, and Doctors of B.C. for their advocacy in these crucial issues.”

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Currently, family doctors are paid through a fee-for-service model and the government says the new plan will also pay them for hours worked, the number and complexity of patients and administrative costs.

However, doctors will still have to cover things like building rent or leases, medical office assistant and staff salaries, annual licensing fees in the thousands, electronic medical record costs where applicable, continuing medical education initiatives as required, and other overhead.

One if five B.C. residents don’t have a family doctor and the compensation model aims to recruit and retain more family doctors.

The new master agreement, which must be ratified by physicians, was developed between the Doctors of B.C., the province and B.C. Family Doctors and will start in February next year.

In addition to pay increases, the government says the funds will also cover income disparities and new hourly premiums for after-hours services.

Writing on Twitter and directing his comments to Health Minister Adrian Dix, Dr. Joneson said on Monday, October 31, “I must give credit where credit is due. Thank you for listening. Thanks [Kelli Paddon] and [Dan Coulter] for listening to me in person as well. This is a very encouraging day today.”

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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