Public Advisor Recruitment for VCH / PHC Physican-led Quality Improvement Projects

What are we doing?

Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) is a professional development and education program for community or facility-based medical staff who want to enhance their Quality Improvement (QI) capacity, build connections with colleagues, and create a continuous improvement culture to transform our local health system.

The Providence Health Care and Vancouver Coastal Health PQI team offers online learning, introductory workshops and a comprehensive 8-month cohort training program to Medical Staff. An important part of this learning is around patient engagement and quality improvement that is in collaboration with those with lived or living experience.


How you can get involved?

Patient partners can share their lived or living experience through:

Partnering with physicians who are going through the PQI 8-month cohort training. Each physician has their own unique project (listed below). Patient partners are encouraged to indicate any of the projects that they have an interest in, or have lived/living experience with as a patient or family member.


The following seven projects are open for public advisor involvement:


Increase Vaginal Births for First-Time Mothers

Focus on increasing the rate of vaginal deliveries in first-time mothers with a single baby who are being induced.


Shorten Hospital Stay for Gallbladder Patients at VGH

Aim to reduce how long patients with gallbladder disease stay in the hospital.


Improve Glaucoma Consultation Experience

Enhance the patient experience during glaucoma consultations, especially when discussing Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT).


Reduce Unnecessary Pain Medications After Liver Transplant

Decrease the use of unneeded narcotic pain medications after liver transplant surgeries.


Improve Weaning Success from VA-ECMO

Increase the rate of successfully weaning patients off VA-ECMO (a type of heart-lung support).


Enhance Recovery for Whipple Procedure Patients

Improve the experience of patients undergoing a Whipple procedure by shortening their hospital stay.


Support Indigenous Patients at May’s Place (Palliative Services)

Improve the care experience for Indigenous patients receiving palliative care at May’s Place.


If you’ve been through something similar to these topics — whether as a patient, a family member, or someone helping someone else — your thoughts can help us make care better for everyone.


Who should apply?

  • We welcome patient partners from anywhere in BC.
  • We especially encourage people to apply who have personal or family experience related to one or more of the project topics.

Please note: Building relationships is important to us. If you're shortlisted, we may invite you to an informal meeting with a health care team member as part of the selection process.


What is the attendance format?

Depending on the project, the physician leading the project will lead a:

  • One-to-one interview;
  • Several project meetings; or
  • A single focus group.

Timing: Between August 2025 and May 2026

Location:

  • Mostly online using Zoom.
  • Some meetings may take place in person at locations in Vancouver, Richmond or West Vancouver / North Vancouver


Is there an honorarium?

Out-of-pocket expenses for travel and parking are eligible for reimbursement if in-person attendance is required.


I have questions. Who do I ask?

If you meet the eligibility criteria but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact hing.wong@vch.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.


What is the deadline for this engagement opportunity?

Open until filled

What are we doing?

Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) is a professional development and education program for community or facility-based medical staff who want to enhance their Quality Improvement (QI) capacity, build connections with colleagues, and create a continuous improvement culture to transform our local health system.

The Providence Health Care and Vancouver Coastal Health PQI team offers online learning, introductory workshops and a comprehensive 8-month cohort training program to Medical Staff. An important part of this learning is around patient engagement and quality improvement that is in collaboration with those with lived or living experience.


How you can get involved?

Patient partners can share their lived or living experience through:

Partnering with physicians who are going through the PQI 8-month cohort training. Each physician has their own unique project (listed below). Patient partners are encouraged to indicate any of the projects that they have an interest in, or have lived/living experience with as a patient or family member.


The following seven projects are open for public advisor involvement:


Increase Vaginal Births for First-Time Mothers

Focus on increasing the rate of vaginal deliveries in first-time mothers with a single baby who are being induced.


Shorten Hospital Stay for Gallbladder Patients at VGH

Aim to reduce how long patients with gallbladder disease stay in the hospital.


Improve Glaucoma Consultation Experience

Enhance the patient experience during glaucoma consultations, especially when discussing Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT).


Reduce Unnecessary Pain Medications After Liver Transplant

Decrease the use of unneeded narcotic pain medications after liver transplant surgeries.


Improve Weaning Success from VA-ECMO

Increase the rate of successfully weaning patients off VA-ECMO (a type of heart-lung support).


Enhance Recovery for Whipple Procedure Patients

Improve the experience of patients undergoing a Whipple procedure by shortening their hospital stay.


Support Indigenous Patients at May’s Place (Palliative Services)

Improve the care experience for Indigenous patients receiving palliative care at May’s Place.


If you’ve been through something similar to these topics — whether as a patient, a family member, or someone helping someone else — your thoughts can help us make care better for everyone.


Who should apply?

  • We welcome patient partners from anywhere in BC.
  • We especially encourage people to apply who have personal or family experience related to one or more of the project topics.

Please note: Building relationships is important to us. If you're shortlisted, we may invite you to an informal meeting with a health care team member as part of the selection process.


What is the attendance format?

Depending on the project, the physician leading the project will lead a:

  • One-to-one interview;
  • Several project meetings; or
  • A single focus group.

Timing: Between August 2025 and May 2026

Location:

  • Mostly online using Zoom.
  • Some meetings may take place in person at locations in Vancouver, Richmond or West Vancouver / North Vancouver


Is there an honorarium?

Out-of-pocket expenses for travel and parking are eligible for reimbursement if in-person attendance is required.


I have questions. Who do I ask?

If you meet the eligibility criteria but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact hing.wong@vch.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.


What is the deadline for this engagement opportunity?

Open until filled

Page last updated: 04 Aug 2025, 12:56 AM