A podcast series from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. Our aim is to help our audience connect the College’s regulatory work to the issues impacting our broader health-care system. We’ll also be connecting with people who are on the forefront of dealing with these issues or who play an important role in how the College responds to them as a regulator.
Navigating Conflicts of Interest and Boundary Violations with Dr. Jeff Blackmer
This episode features an interview with Dr. Jeff Blackmer on boundary violations and conflicts of interest, including how to identify them and what to do when presented with one.
Dr. Blackmer is the chief medical officer and executive vice-president of professional practice at the Canadian Medical Association. He has previously served as the executive director of the CMA’s Office of Ethics, Professionalism and International Affairs, as well as interim director of ethics for the World Medical Association in Geneva. Following his residency, he completed a master’s degree in medical ethics at the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics.
Resources mentioned during the episode:
CMA Code of Ethics and Professionalism
Conflict of Interest practice standard
Non-sexual Boundary Violations practice standard
Treatment of Self, Family Members, and Others Close to You practice standard
Social Media professional guideline
Licensee support coaches
9 Apr 2026
Expanding Access Through Virtual Care with Dr. John Pawlovich
This episode features an interview with Dr. John Pawlovich on how virtual care is reshaping access to health care, particularly for patients and clinicians in rural, remote and underserved communities.
Dr. Pawlovich brings over 25 years of clinical experience in remote communities across BC. He is also a clinical professor and chair in rural health at the University of British Columbia. In addition, he serves as director of the Rural Education Action Plan, medical director for Carrier Sekani Family Services, and virtual health lead for the Rural Coordination Centre of BC.
13 Jan 2026
Managing Patient Expectations with Dr. Karen Shklanka
This episode features an interview with Dr. Karen Shklanka on strategies for managing patient expectations, such as when a patient arrives with a firm idea of a diagnosis or a request for a specific test. Dr. Shklanka shares communication strategies and discusses the concept of self-compassion when managing conflict.
Dr. Shklanka is a family physician, as well as an addiction and pain medicine consultant. She is lead faculty for behavioural medicine and clinical assistant professor at the Vancouver Fraser Site of UBC's Family Practice Program.
Resources mentioned during the episode:
What Doctors Feel: How Emotions Affect the Practice of Medicine by Dr. Danielle Ofri
Self-Compassion Institute with Dr. Kristin Neff
8 Oct 2025
Using AI in Medicine with Dr. Bella Wu
This episode features an interview with Dr. Bella Wu on the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine and considerations for its safe and ethical use. Dr. Wu explains how she has adopted AI into her practice and how she navigates its strengths and challenges.
Dr. Wu is an otolaryngologist from Richmond, BC, and an early adopter of AI. Last year, she participated in a three-month AI scribe pilot, coordinated through the Specialist Services Committee and Doctors of BC.
Resources mentioned during the episode:
CPSBC interim guidance: Ethical Principles for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
27 Jun 2025
Understanding Patient Expectations for Culturally Safe Care with Laurie Dokis
Laurie Dokis, a registered nurse, shares her experiences and insights on implementing Indigenous cultural safety in healthcare settings, in an interview, offering practical guidance.
2 Jun 2025
Creating a Safe Practice for Gender-diverse Patients with Dr. Ingrid Cosio
Dr. Ingrid Cosio, medical director at Trans Care BC, discusses how medical practices can create safe, inclusive environments for gender-diverse patients in this interview.
27 Nov 2024
The Role of Professional Interpretation in Health Care with Dr. Mei-Ling Wiedmeyer
Dr. Mei-Ling Wiedmeyer, a family physician and clinical assistant professor, shares insights on the critical role of professional interpretation in ensuring equitable health care for diverse populations.
20 Jun 2024
Indigenous Cultural Safety and Allyship with Dr. Leah Seaman
To mark National Indigenous History Month, we are releasing two episodes discussing what the College and its registrants can do to provide Indigenous patients with culturally safe care.
Part two features an interview with Dr. Leah Seaman on how physicians can become allies and incorporate culturally safe practices into their work. Dr. Seaman is a family physician who practises in BC and the Northwest Territories. She is a physician partner in the Kootenay-Boundary Aboriginal Services Collaborative and sits on the Indigenous Health Committee at the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
20 Jun 2024
Navigating towards Culturally Safe Care with Mark Matthew
To mark National Indigenous History Month, we are releasing two episodes discussing what the College and its registrants can do to provide Indigenous patients with culturally safe care.
Part one features an interview with Mark Matthew on the systemic challenges and opportunities in our health system as it navigates towards culturally safe care. Mark has worked in Indigenous health for over 16 years and is currently the director of Indigenous Health with Health Quality BC.
7 Feb 2024
Meet our new registrar and CEO, Dr. Patrick Rowe
For our first episode, we had the opportunity to talk with the College's new registrar and CEO, Dr. Patrick Rowe. We discussed his priorities for the College over the coming years, and how he plans to continue the College's work towards addressing Indigenous-specific racism in the health-care system. We also asked him how the College can play a role in managing the physician shortage, and to share his views on the upcoming transition to the Health Professions and Occupations Act.
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