A new policy introduced by Island Health in British Columbia is raising concerns from BC doctors over physician autonomy and its potential impact on patient care.
This policy pertains to appointing the most responsible physician, or MRP, when multiple doctors are involved in a patient’s care.
Under the new rules, if doctors cannot agree on who should take on the role, the hospital’s chief of staff or a senior doctor can make the decision.
Dr. Ben Williams, chief medical officer for Island Health, told CHEK News that the condition is rare: “It doesn’t happen very often. Most of the time, doctors work it out among themselves.”
However, Dr. Adam Thompson, president of Doctors of BC, told the outlet that the organization is “really deeply concerned about Island Health’s decision to allow the Chief of Staff to cede the role of most responsible physician on an involuntary basis.”
They warned that the policy could be used more often than intended and could put pressure on doctors to take patients without adequate resources or expertise.
“Doctors are really concerned that they may be pressured to accept patients when they don’t have the resources, capacity or potentially the expertise to safely provide care to the patient,” he said.
BC’s doctors are calling for the policy to be halted and further reviewed through consultation.
