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The Qualitycast North podcast showcases Northern British Columbian physicians and healthcare workers and their work in improving the quality of healthcare where they live. In an interview format, our host Dr. Shyr Chui invites guests to talk about their careers in rural medicine, and how they are improving healthcare through innovative quality improvement projects. Episodes are released every 3 weeks. Qualitycast North is a production of the Northern Health Physician Quality Improvement init ...
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S4 Ep3: The Great X-Ray Bake Off – Improving Joy at Work one cookie at a time - featuring James Cheesman
18:20
With the current challenges faced by healthcare organizations around the world, maintaining staff morale and Joy in Work is a daunting task. The response of one medical imaging department in Northern British Columbia? Competitive baking! This week we interview James Cheesman, a Medical Radiation Technologist at The University Hospital of Northern B…
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When improving or making changes to the way organizations provide health care, it often seems the last person consulted is the patient themselves. This seemingly perverse order of priority is a lingering throwback to a more historical and paternalistic model of care. One person looking to change this is today’s guest Kim Eggers, the Patient Partner…
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S4 Ep1: Special Episode: Northern Health’s new CEO - the first 9 months featuring Ciro Panessa
36:32
We’re back for our fourth season with our new co-host, Lee Cameron. Our season opener is a cracker featuring special guest Ciro Panessa, the new CEO of Northern Health. In this episode we talk about Ciro’s journey to CEO, his first 9 months, and Northern Health’s priorities over the next 5 years. We also touch on life on the road and why ultimately…
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S3 Ep9: Deanna reflects on her favorite 3 episodes from the last 3 seasons of Qualitycast North
47:50
It’s our Season 3 finale and a special episode tinged with a little sadness as it’s our Producer and Co-host Deanna’s last episode with QCN. This week I turn the tables on Deanna and ask about her experiences on the show and to take us through her favourite interviews from our first three seasons. Which guests did she choose? You’ll have to listen …
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S3 Ep8: Mind Space. Building successful skills for wellbeing across British Columbia with Dr. Fiona Petigara
23:20
According to Statistics Canada, Canada is currently experiencing a huge increase in unmet mental health needs. The prevalence of anxiety, depression and social phobia have jumped since the Covid pandemic. How can our health systems cope with this surge in demand for mental health services when the medical community itself is in crisis with physicia…
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S3 Ep7: Introducing Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Refractory Depression featuring Dr. Darren Jakubec
27:22
Depression is a common and debilitating mental health condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite the availability of various treatment options, a significant proportion of individuals with depression do not achieve adequate symptom relief. One promising newer treatment is ketamine infusion therapy, but its current availability is rel…
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S3 Ep6: Maintaining Physician Quality and the Provincial College – Featuring Dr. Patrick Rowe, Registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC)
24:21
One of the most important aspects of quality in healthcare is patient safety. We often read or hear media reports of healthcare failures in patient safety, system errors and patients falling between the gaps but there is another piece to patient and public safety which is ensuring that our licensed physicians are safe to practice medicine in the fi…
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S3 Ep5: Have you tried turning it off and on again? Healthcare IT systems, interoperability, and quality - featuring Dr. Bill Clifford
28:39
In this episode we’re talking about a topic which every practicing clinician seems to have an opinion on, whether good or bad. Healthcare IT systems and electronic medical records or ‘EMR’s. Over the last few decades, we’ve seen a massive expansion in the number and reach of these IT systems into every aspect of medicine and across our entire healt…
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S3 Ep4: Send in the drones! Cutting edge rural medicine featuring Dr. John Pawlovich and Sandy Lee
31:24
Drones, which are basically autonomous flying robots, have a variety of applications from controversial military operations to agriculture, cinematography, and package deliveries. Can this technology support improved healthcare services and healthcare equity in rural locations? Northern British Columbia comprises a vast geographical area the size o…
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S3 Ep3: While your doctor’s caring for you, who’s caring for your Doctor? - Avoiding physician burn out – featuring Dr. Ingrid Cosio
28:46
Today, the practice of modern medicine has changed and is now far more intense, complex and demanding of physicians than ever before. It may not come as a surprise to find, therefore, that physicians are now burning out at an ever increasing rate. The issue is one that often remains hidden or unrecognized but has implications for the resilience and…
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S3 Ep2: Why better medicine for Indigenous peoples is better medicine for all. Featuring Dr. Todd Alec and Dr. Sheona Mitchell-Foster
35:44
It is well established that Indigenous peoples accessing the health system are subject to harm, and a lower quality of care. Many healthcare organizations are acknowledging this truth and making commitments to address systemic anti-Indigenous racism and improve cultural safety within the healthcare system. In this episode, we’re hearing from Northe…
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We're back with our 3rd season of Qualitycast North, with a great episode on improvement in the Ultrasound department. Ultrasound departments everywhere have never been busier and patients with complaints involving all parts of the body visit the department every day. Ultrasound is the first line choice for visualization of the appendix when diagno…
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S2 Ep11: Is it a true penicillin allergy? How penicillin allergy de-labelling is making care safer and more effective – featuring Dr. Tiffany Wong
24:19
Approximately 10% of the population (which translates to around 500,000 people in BC) believes they have a penicillin allergy and are labelled as such in their patient records, but in reality, more that 90% of these patients do not have a true penicillin allergy. These false penicillin allergy labels can have serious consequences to both individual…
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S2 Ep10: Supporting our physicians ongoing passion for quality improvement through the PQI provincial alumni strategy – Featuring Dr. Lawrence Yang and Dr. Hussein Kanji (available June 2, 2023)
42:57
In this episode, we are featuring the Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) program’s provincial alumni co-leads, Dr. Lawrence Yang and Dr. Hussein Kanji. Dr. Yang practices in a ‘family-family’ practice alongside his wife and brothers, providing cradle-to-grave care in Surrey, BC. Dr. Kanji is a critical care physician that works primarily in the IC…
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S2 Ep9: Safe and supportive opioid prescribing for chronic pain – featuring Dr. Shannon Douglas
32:48
Dr. Shannon Douglas grew up in the Omineca area of Northern BC and has been dog sledding in the Fort St James area since her youth. She now practices medicine in the same region and is the Medical Director for the Lakes Omineca region and loves the diversity of patients she cares for everyday. This region includes Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Fort St. …
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S2 Ep8: Maintaining quality medical education in the Northern Medical Program – featuring Dr. Paul Winwood
29:33
The Northern Medical Program (NMP) is an inspiring Northern success story based on community action. The NMP is a unique medical undergraduate program that educates future doctors with a focus on rural health. Dr. Paul Winwood is the current Regional Associate Dean of the program, a position he has had for over 10 years. Originally from the United …
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S2 Ep7: Virtual follow-up for emergency room visits and how to publish your quality improvement work - featuring Dr. Diala El-Zammar and Dr. Raj Johal
35:41
In this episode, Qualitycast North is leaving the snowy North (yes we still have snow in March) and heading South to showcase some of the excellent Quality Improvement work being done by 2 physicians in the Fraser Valley area; Dr. Diala El-Zammar and Dr. Raj Johal. Dr. El-Zammar and her family came to Surrey, BC, Canada from Lebanon when she was 9.…
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S2 Ep6: Implementing a collaborative maternity model in Dawson Creek, BC- featuring Dr. Magda Du Plessis
21:26
Dr. Magda Du Plessis is passionate about maternal care, providing the best patient care possible, and quality improvement. She is part of the multidisciplinary team at the Chickadee Maternity Collaborative in Dawson Creek, BC, that includes other physicians, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and administrative staff. Dr. Du Plessis led the team throug…
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S2 Ep5: Addressing implicit biases through reflective practice to improve cultural safety and humility- featuring Dr. Danette Dawkin
20:28
Growing up, Dr. Danette Dawkin didn’t initially see herself pursuing medicine, but after receiving a pamphlet for UBCs rural medicine program, she was inspired to apply, and is now a family physician that has provided services in many rural and Indigenous communities across the North. Implicit biases are unconscious assumptions that can affect how …
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Have you ever wondered what the CEO of a large, complex, healthcare organization does, or how leadership and governance supports quality care? In this episode of Qualitycast North we further explore the relationship between quality and healthcare leadership through a conversation with the longest serving Health Authority CEO in recent provincial (B…
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S2 Ep3: Improving cultural safety and humility; the role of medical leadership - featuring Dr. Helene Smith
34:03
Dr. Helene Smith is a Family Practitioner based in Quesnel BC, and also the Chair of the Northern Health Medical Advisory Committee, also referred to as NH-MAC. Originally from South Africa, she found her niche in rural family practice, and eventually became more involved in leadership roles. Since late 2020, provincial healthcare has been making e…
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S2 Ep2: Bringing advanced cardiovascular life support recertification training to the Stikine Health Centre - Featuring Dr. Breanne Abbott
21:01
Dr. Breanne Abbott is a primary care physician at the Stikine Health Centre, which is located on the traditional territory of the Tahltan Nation, in the community of Dease Lake. The Stikine Health Center is one of Northern Health’s most remote clinics and services an area the size of France, with the closest critical care facility nearly 600 kilome…
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S2 Ep1: 1: Development of an intubation checklist for Emergency physicians- featuring Dr. Herman Johal
29:13
Qualitycast North is thrilled to kick off its second season by featuring Dr. Herman Johal, and his quality improvement work on creating an intubation checklist for the emergency department physicians at the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC), located in Prince George, BC, Canada. Dr. Johal is an emergency medicine physician practicing at th…
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Dr. Chui and Deanna reflect on the first season of Qualitycast North, discussing their favorite moments and most popular episodes, and providing some insights into some of the exciting quality improvement work that will be featured in season 2.由Qualitycast North
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S1 Ep10: Chasing the sharper image - improving image quality in the MRI department at UHNBC in Prince George, BC. featuring Dr. Shyr Chui
31:03
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used to create detailed images of organs and tissues inside the body. During an MRI scan, the patient must lie completely still in a confined space , which can be anxiety inducing, leading to fidgeting and movement. Any movement during the scan will result in lower quality images, whic…
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S1 Ep9: Acing the A1C; improving management of diabetes at the Northern Roots Primary Care Clinic in Smithers, BC - featuring Dr. Kalah Blackstock
23:11
Originally from rural Saskatchewan, Dr. Kalah Blackstock now practices medicine and is raising her young family in Smithers BC, a place she describes as a fun place to live and a supportive community for raising kids, where she loves the ‘mild’ winters. Dr. Blackstock and her team at the Northern Roots Primary Care Clinic recently sought to improve…
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S1 Ep8: Engineering a win-win for everyone. Reducing hospital re-admissions in the Frail and Elderly population at GR Baker Hospital in Quesnel, BC – featuring Dr. Jon Fine
31:59
Dr. Jon Fine began his career as a physician in 1976 stationed in Germany with the British Royal Army Medical Corps. He came to Canada and started a family practice in Quesnel in 1981, also creating a geriatric assessment service in 1996, and has since continued to specialize in the care of elderly patients. Dr. Fine has led multiple quality improv…
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S1 Ep7: Humility is the key. Incorporating the patient and family perspective in improving healthcare quality – featuring patient advocate Duane Jackson
26:39
Duane Jackson is of the Fireweed clan of the Gitanmaax people of Old Hazelton and has lived the majority of his life in Prince Rupert on the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Duane has been a patient advocate with the Patient Voices Network for over seven years with engagements including cultural safety and humility, at-risk youth, and positive …
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S1 Ep6: Keeping patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) out of hospital and in the community revisited – featuring Dr. Denise McLeod
18:50
Dr. Denise McLeod has always had a passion for caring for others. She worked for 12 years as a nurse before pursuing her dream career as a family physician. In her current practice she cares for patients across life’s spectrum, from newborns to palliative care. To better support her patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which …
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S1 Ep5: Seeing clearly in the Emergency Department. Raising quality and streamlining visits for patients with eye complaints – featuring Dr. Matthew Wahab
21:24
Prince George physician Dr. Matthew Wahab spent several years as a software developer before eventually deciding to pursue a career in medicine. He now loves going to work everyday in the Emergency Department at UHNBC and greatly appreciates the good personal and professional quality of life practicing in the North provides. In this episode Dr. Wah…
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S1 Ep4: More than just a pretty picture. Getting the right x-rays first time, every time – Featuring Dr. Joe Costa
21:51
A passion for hockey and sports eventually led Dr. Joe Costa to a career in orthopaedic surgery. Orthopaedic surgeries always require diagnostic images, such as x-rays, but due to variation in ordering pathways, up to 30% of x-rays ordered are not what the surgeon is looking for. This leads to repeated x-rays which are expensive for the healthcare …
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S1 Ep3: Long Distance Medicine. Setting up a rural specialist tele-kidney care service from scratch – featuring Dr. Anurag Singh
30:51
In this episode we interview Dr. Anurag Singh, nephrologist and Medical Lead for the Northern Health Kidney Care program. Dr. Singh discusses the challenges he and his team face providing a regional kidney-care service across the massive geographical area of Northern BC, and how implementing a new telemedicine service improved care for patients in …
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S1 Ep2: All bodies are good bodies; Overcoming weight bias in primary care. How understanding a hidden problem can lead to higher quality care – featuring Dr. Omowumi Iyaoromi
16:42
Did you know? · Both self report and experimental research demonstrate negative stereotypes and attitudes towards obese patients by a range of healthcare providers including inaccurate views that obese patients are lazy, lacking in self discipline, dishonest, unintelligent, annoying, and noncompliant with treatment. Hebl and Xu (2001) found that pr…
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S1 Ep1: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Group Medical Visits; leveraging patient education to reduce hospital admissions and emergency room visits
23:17
Dr. Denise Jaworsky, an internal medicine specialist practicing in Terrace BC, details her experiences helping patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) better understand and manage their condition by implementing an interprofessional team group visit approach in the community. She also shares how an unlucky day on the ski hill led…
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