Specialist Practice Advancement Program
New Program Supporting and Strengthening Community-Based Practices.
Express Your Interest
Background & Rationale
Community-based Specialists are vital to our BC healthcare system. It is well known that many of these physicians run complex independent practices without the same infrastructure and resources that are typically available in larger clinics, hospitals, or other public institutions. In recent years, appreciated inquiry into these challenges have reiterated converging themes, including the following:
  • High administrative load and paperwork backlog
  • Staff turnover and team recruitment difficulties
  • Inefficient clinical workflows that increase delays
  • Outdated or under-utilized health technologies
  • Lack of business and practical operations training
  • Rising physician burnout and limited peer connection

Our focus is on specialists who practice in the community and do not hold hospital privileges, but our initiatives are aimed broadly to support any specialists practicing in a community-based setting.
Program Model & Structure
Core Program: Specialist Practice Advancement
Purpose:
  • To support you in strengthening your practice.
Structure:
  • 10-12 weeks : 1-2 hrs / week
  • Supportive practice review
  • Problem validation and metrics
  • Sprint Cycles - Plan. Do. Review.
Outcome:
  • Targeted improvement on a practical issue relevant to your practice (e.g. HR, admin work, process, technology, quality improvement goal, etc.)
Program Highlights:
  • Dedicated support from an Advancement Partner, and experienced peer advisors.
  • Structured practice review and identification of a high-priority challenge or opportunity.
  • Facilitated improvement sprints with expert guidance, change management support, data capture tools to communicate impact, and optional peer knowledge exchange sessions.
  • Your project will be supported by a data and analytics plan to ensure progress measurement.
Elective Program: "Try AI" - Artificial Intelligence
Purpose:
  • To provide a facilitated pathway for you to learn and test AI tools in your community practice.
Structure:
  • 6-10 weeks : 1-2 hrs / week
  • Individualized intake session
  • Tailored implementation plan.
  • Personal support and review
Focus Areas:
  • Common use-cases include AI scribes, dictation, AI-assisted transcription, scheduling, EMR add-ons, and other emerging tools to improve your practice.
Program Highlights:
  • Dedicated support from a Technical Advancement Partner, and supplemental peer support.
  • Readiness Assessment to identify the highest impact opportunities.to improve your practice with emerging tools.
  • Facilitated support to implement and evaluate the use of an existing AI tool in your practice (such as a scribe, dictation, scheduling, or EMR add-on).
  • Each pilot is supported by usability and workflow data collection to measure feasibility, time savings, ROI, impact, etc.

Why "Try AI"?
The Artificial Intelligence revolution is in progress. This program offers a low-risk opportunity to explore whether artificial intelligence can help reduce your administrative burden and enhance your private practice.
Learning Modality & Delivery
The program combines evidence-informed strategies with project-based learning, co-designed by community-based specialists.
100% Virtual + Flexible Live Support
Asynchronous support plus on-demand digital hub.
1:1 Advancement Partner + Technical Experts
Tailored facilitiation with experience business advisors.
Practical Goal-Oriented Action Projects
Improvement activities anchored in real-world setting.
Peer Support Network + Engagement
Optional small group reflection sessions and exchange.
Our Approach: Continuous, Practical Improvement
The SPA Program uses a practical improvement model that is simple, repeatable, and adaptable to any practice. Whether streamlining operations in the Core Program or testing digital tools in Try AI, this approach ensures changes are practical, sustainable, and measurable.
Define
Define the challenge and confirm it is a priority for your practice.
Plan
Design a targeted action plan with achievable steps and success measures.
Do
Test the change in your practice with facilitator and peer support.
Review
Assess results, track data, and capture lessons learned.
Repeat
Refine and scale what works, building confidence in continuous improvement.
Eligibility & Enrolment
Ideal Participants:
  • Community-Based Specialists (CBS) practicing across British Columbia
  • CBS Physicians seeking support in managing and improving their practice
  • CBS Physicians curious about exploring AI in a safe, supportive environment
Commitment:
Physicians should be willing to dedicate a minimum 1-2 hours per week for 6-12 weeks (program dependant) to solo activities or weekly check-ins with partners.
Enrolment process:
  1. Submit a brief online Expression of Interest, and select program.
  1. Receive confirmation, matched partner, and onboarding package.
Honorarium:
Specialists selected for the program will receive an honorarium of $3000 (Core) or $2000 (Try AI), plus additional subsidies for support staff or other expenses.
Get Started
"The SPA Program provides the structured support that community specialists have been asking for. By addressing the operational challenges that specialists face daily, we can improve our system, patient outcomes, as well as physician well-being."
— Dr. Tommy Gerschman, Specialist Services Committee
$3000
Honorarium
Upon Completion
10-12
Weeks
Core Program
1-2
Hours/Week
Avg. Commitment
6-10
Weeks
AI Tech Program
*Honoraria differs by program: $3000 core; $2000 AI; contingent on completion.

Space is limited to 35 participants!
Register as soon as possible to confirm your interest. Initial intake will be between September - March 2026.
Join the SPA Program
Take the next step to transform your practice. Express your interest and our team will guide you through the enrolment process.