- Can you describe your role as TFN’s primary doctor and the types of health services you provide to Members?
I provide what’s referred to as longitudinal family practice (LFP) care. This means I provide care for all ages, cradle to grave, while forming relationships with patients and their families over the course of time. I provide medical care, psychological care, preventive health care, health teaching and sometimes just a listening ear.
- What makes delivering care within TFN unique compared to a typical clinic or community practice?
TFN is a relatively small community where members a collectively cared for by a Primary Care Team of various health care providers, including nurses, care aids, a medical office assistant, medical doctors, psychologists and other personal support workers/social workers and the health administrators. The Primary Care Team really collaborates well together to bring the best possible comprehensive care to TFN Members.
- How does working directly with TFN allow you to support members in a more personalized or culturally informed way?
By nature of me coming onto TFN Lands, I feel like I am coming into peoples’ personal homes and I feel very honored to be allowed to come on Lands in this manner. There are people that will only see me on Lands. I feel that by me visiting and providing care to Members in their own community supports them in a more personalized and culturally sensitive way and brings them medical care in their own comfortable environment. I know that it is very difficult for some people when I have to send them off Lands for care. So, if I can provide as much care as possible in the community, I feel Members will be more comfortable when they have to seek my healthcare advice.
- What are some of the most common health needs you see within the community, and how do you help members navigate them?
I think people have a lot of the same health needs as anywhere else, however accessing that care is more difficult for some. The health care team is instrumental in helping people access my care and also care outside of TFN. People that don’t drive are brought to appointments with me or to outside specialists and even brought to the labs or the Xray departments for tests. So, to have the nurses, care aids and personal support workers help in getting Members to outside care, when needed, is monumental helpful!
Additionally, I will personally connect with my medical colleagues to facilitate and obtain care, especially when I have to send people to Emergency. I mean going to Emergency is already stressful but for some members, I think if I didn’t call ahead, they would likely not go and get the care they need.
- How does being embedded within TFN’s health system help with continuity of care, for example, follow‑up, referrals, or long‑term health planning?
Firstly, we hold weekly rounds to care plan for Members that are undergoing testing or treatments or seeing different members of the team. We are all connected by the Electronic Medical Record and can share pertinent information related to care. Our Medical Office Assistant (Hiral) is constantly communicating with Members, ensuring they have transportation and that they make it to their care appointments, have their various requisitions and she even reminds people to not forget they have an appointment at the clinic or with the specialist. This all contributes to long-term health planning and care as people do not fall through the cracks.
- What do you enjoy most about working with TFN, and what motivates you in your role?
I love getting to know people and their families. It takes a long time but slowly I am learning who belongs to each family and more about each person themselves and not just their medical issues. I truly find peoples’ life stories interesting, and I am continually motivated to learn their stories.
I love the team environment and the support. I can understand situations better because I have more than just my own perspective when it comes to patients and their individual situations.
- Is there anything you would like TFN members to know about accessing health services or reaching out for support?
The best way to access health services from me is to come and see me or book a call with me via Hiral as she knows my availability between my Ladner and the TFN clinics. Members that are able to travel are always welcome to see me in my Ladner office if I am not at TFN clinic.
Additionally, Members can talk with any of the health care team to be directed towards needed services. Just ask. Even if the person you ask does not provide the service, they will figure out who can provide the service and direct you appropriately.
- How is your role at TFN unique to other nations/municipalities?
Here at TFN, I have a team. In other places where I have worked, I have never had a full team with the variety of health care team Members that we have at TFN. I mean really, we have a Primary Care Network, and it is amazing.
- Anything else you would like to add?
I would like to thank Members of TFN for welcoming me into the TFN community. I truly do consider it an honour and a privilege to look after the Members of TFN and help them obtain their optimal health. I look forward to getting to know people better and their life stories.