Advocacy Tool: The Importance of Terminology

The BCCFP has released a position statement emphasizing the importance of using accurate terminology when referring to specialist physicians trained in family medicine.

Terms such as 'primary care clinician' and 'family practitioner' do not reflect the depth of training, scope of practice, or professional identity of family physicians, and catch-all terms like 'primary care provider' convey inaccurate equivalency with other primary care professionals.

We urge all health care organizations, government bodies, and communications platforms to use 'family physician' or 'family doctor' to ensure patient clarity, professional recognition, system effectiveness, and appropriate leadership in team-based care.

Family physicians provide comprehensive, continuous care to over 70% of British Columbians and play a vital, irreplaceable role in the province's health care system.

A letter template is also available as a resource for you to use in your advocacy efforts and messaging to MLAs.

Read the full statement here