Winter 2025 (Volume 35, Number 4)

B.C. Society of Rheumatologists (BCSR) – Update from the Pacific

By Jason Kur, MD, FRCPC

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Dr. John Esdaile and distinguished lecturer Dr. Neda Amiri.

Political Climate

The healthcare landscape in British Columbia (BC) has shifted significantly over the past year. Although the NDP government remains in office, it now faces a much tighter fiscal environment. Funding shortfalls and shrinking budgets have affected many areas of healthcare across the province. As a result, negotiations related to specialist waitlist management have stalled, and the expansion of specialist team care programs has slowed. Despite these challenges, there have been a few positive developments worth highlighting.

Corridors of Care

Dr. Brent Ohata is collaborating with the “Provincial Pathways Program” to establish “Corridors of Care.” Pathways is an online resource that provides physicians and their teams with quick access to accurate referral information, including current wait times and specialists’ areas of expertise. The “Corridors of Care” initiative aims to improve access to rheumatology in remote BC communities by connecting them through Pathways to rheumatologists with shorter wait times.

Complex Care Codes

For over a decade, BC rheumatologists have been able to use a time-based complex consult code to support patients with multisystem diseases. This code recognizes the additional time and planning required for these complex initial consultations. Following a successful disparity award in 2020, the BC Society of Rheumatologists (BCSR) is now preparing to introduce two new complex follow-up codes; one time-based and the other focused on multi-
organ disease. These are now close to implementation.

The purpose of these new codes is multifaceted. A key goal is to help address gender pay disparities in rheumatology. Studies show that female physicians often spend more time with complex patients yet earn less for the same hours worked. These new codes are a small but important step toward recognizing that additional effort.

In addition, the multi-organ disease follow-up code is intended to support sub-specialty rheumatology clinics, where physicians manage particularly complex patients and often face financial limitations. Together, these new billing codes are designed to strengthen care for BC’s most vulnerable patients.

Recruitment and Retention

Many regions in BC continue to struggle with shortages of specialist physicians. Reports of emergency department closures in small communities and hospital-based specialist resignations are becoming increasingly common. In community rheumatology, significant service gaps persist, particularly in Northern BC and parts of the Interior, such as Kamloops. In contrast, Vancouver and Victoria currently have adequate rheumatology coverage.

This year, BC hosted two major rheumatology meetings:

• The Western Alliance of Rheumatology (WAR) meeting in Kelowna (May)

• The 20th annual BC Rheumatology Invitational Educational Series (BRIESE) Conference in Vancouver (November)

WAR had great representation from across the West, including a large contingent from Saskatchewan this year. The BRIESE Conference was also another great success, featuring insightful presentations from: Dr. Neda Amiri (UBC), Dr. Jonathan Chan (UBC), Dr. Ann Clarke (University of Calgary), Dr. Narsis Daftarian (Arthritis Research Canada), and Dr. Anisha Dua (Northwestern University School of Medicine).

Honouring Our Colleagues

As we reflect on the year, we also wish to recognize a member of the BC rheumatology community who has recently retired.

Dr. Jolanda Cibere has made immeasurable contributions to UBC Rheumatology and Arthritis Research Canada. She has been a leader in osteoarthritis care and a champion for both excellence in research and compassionate teaching. Many of us have benefited greatly from her dedication and expertise.

Attendees at the Western Alliance of Rheumatology Meeting in Kelowna, BC, May 2025.

Jason Kur, MD, FRCPC
Artus Health Centre, University of British Columbia
President, B.C. Society of Rheumatologists
Summerland, British Columbia