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BC Family Medicine Ecosystem
Navigate the landscape of family medicine organizations and services across BC. Explore our interactive guide featuring organization profiles, service directories, contact information, and resources that support you in your practice.
Organization Profiles
BC College of Family Physicians
BCCFP is the only organization focused exclusively on the value and experience of being a family physician in BC. It advocates for the future of family medicine and provides continuing professional development tailored to the needs of family doctors to support the delivery of quality care for British Columbia.
More than 6,000 family physicians, residents and medical students are members of BCCFP because of the work the College does to support family physicians, including celebrating their work and bringing attention to the role they play in a person's overall health.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC
CPSBC is the body responsible for licensing all physicians and surgeons in BC and regulating the practice of medicine for the protection of the patient.
College of Family Physicians of Canada
CFPC establishes standards for the training, certification and continuing education of family physicians. It defines the profession, provides CPD and advocates nationally on behalf of the specialty of family medicine.
UBC Department of Family Practice
UBC Department of Family Practice educates students, residents and midwives, and provides leadership in academic and community-based research and education.
BC Health Authorities
Health Authorities have agreements with the Ministry of Health to deliver health care services in one of seven regions or specialized jurisdictions.
BC Ministry of Health
BC Ministry of Health has the overall responsibility for BC's health services, including funding for the health authorities and all physicians.
General Practice Service Committee (GPSC)
is a partnership between the Province and Doctors of BC to strengthen full-service family practice and patient care.
- Divisions of Family Practice supports family physicians around system-wide improvements.
Doctors of BC
Doctors of BC is the political and public voice for all physicians in BC, regardless of their area of practice or specialty, advocating for their interests and negotiating funding for all physicians.
BC Family Doctors
is the economic and political voice for family physicians within the larger Doctors of BC organization.
BC Health Authorities
Serving the Fraser Valley and surrounding communities
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA)
Covering Vancouver, Richmond, North Shore, and Sea-to-Sky corridor
Interior Health Authority (IHA)
Providing care across BC's Interior region
Northern Health Authority (NHA)
Serving Northern BC communities
Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority)
Covering Vancouver Island and surrounding islands
Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)
Specialized provincial health services
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)
Dedicated to improving health outcomes for First Nations people in BC
FAQs
About BCCFP
What is the BCCFP?
The BC College of Family Physicians of Canada (BCCFP) is the BC branch of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), the professional association and the legal certifying body for the specialty of family medicine in Canada.
Who are the members of the BCCFP?
Any family physician, UBC family practice resident, or medical student in BC can be a member of the BCCFP.
What does the College do?
The BCCFP is the professional home of family medicine in BC, providing leadership, support, advocacy and education.
What does the College NOT do?
The BCCFP cannot assist patients in finding family physicians. The College cannot offer medical advice or counselling to patients; please contact your family physician for any medical care or advice. In addition, the BCCFP does not handle complaints against physicians; please contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC for assistance in this area.
About Family Medicine
What is family medicine?
Family medicine can best be described as personal, comprehensive, continuous care. It is personal because it is based on the relationship between the patient and his or her family doctor; it is comprehensive because it is based on the family physician's consideration of the whole patient in the context of his or her needs, history, and life situation; and it is continuous because it is based on the long-term, ongoing nature of the professional relationship.
Is family medicine the same thing as general practice?
Family physicians are qualified to practice general medicine and have additional training in the specialty of family medicine. They also have a clearly defined focus on comprehensive, continuous care of their patients.
Certification and Professional Development
What is certification in family medicine, and what is a CCFP?
The Certification in the College of Family Physicians (CCFP) is the professional designation of the family medicine specialty. Medical school graduates who successfully complete an approved family medicine residency are eligible to sit for the certification examinations. Practicing physicians who qualify may be eligible to earn certification through a combination of approved training and practice experience.
What other professional designations does the College confer?
Physicians who have earned certification in family medicine may use the designation CCFP after their names. E.g., certified family physicians with additional training and qualifications in emergency medicine may earn the CCFP(EM) designation; in addition, physicians who have been certified for 10 years and meet eligibility guidelines may earn the FCFP designation as Fellows of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
How is certification maintained?
Members of the College are required to meet strict standards of continuing professional development consisting of a wide variety of accredited activities such as attending courses and participating in educational events. Members must submit evidence of these activities on a regular basis and earn a specific number of educational credits in the Mainpro+ (maintenance of proficiency) program administered by the College.
What is the CFPC Fellowship Designation?
The CFPC awards the Fellowship designation (FCFP) to those who have been awarded Certification in the College of Family Physicians (CCFP) and who distinguish themselves through outstanding contribution to their communities, their colleagues, and the discipline of family medicine. Fellowship is considered a value of membership and will be bestowed for life as long as the member remains in good standing with the College.
What is a Certificate of Added Competence (CAC)?
Certificates of Added Competence (CACs) in Family Medicine provide a means to recognize enhanced areas of expertise achieved, and maintained, by some family physicians, including Care of the Elderly; Palliative Care; Emergency Medicine; Family Practice Anesthesia; and Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Getting Involved
How can I get more involved with the College?
We are always looking for members willing to join planning committees, to provide advance feedback on new initiatives that we are developing, or lend their expertise for our advocacy work. For more information, please contact us at office@bccfp.bc.ca
What role does the BCCFP play in physician education?
The BCCFP leads the development and delivery of relevant continuing professional development (CPD) to support evolving practice needs for BC family physicians.
