The Qualitycast North podcast showcases Northern British Columbian physicians and healthcare workers and their work in improving the quality of healthcare where they live. In an interview format, our host Dr. Shyr Chui invites guests to talk about their careers in rural medicine, and how they are improving healthcare through innovative quality improvement projects. Episodes are released every 2 weeks.
Qualitycast North is a production of the Northern Health Physician Quality Improvement initiative, and is co-produced by Dr. Shyr Chui, and PQI Coach Lee Cameron. This Initiative is a flagship program of the Specialist Services Committee which represents a collaborative partnership between our provincial government and Doctors of BC, and includes regular representation from the local health authorities.
S5 Ep28: The invisible army and the essential contribution of caregivers to health featuring Wendy Johnstone from Family Caregivers BC.
Behind nearly every patient in the health care system is an often-unseen family caregiver providing essential support. Their contribution is immense, yet remains largely invisible. When that support breaks down it affects health outcomes, care quality, and the system as a whole.
In this episode, we speak with Wendy Johnstone, Director of Programs and Innovation at Family Caregivers BC, about the vital but under-recognized role of family caregivers. We discuss the scale of their contribution, why their work and personal needs are so often overlooked, how support can make a difference, and what health care providers can do to recognize and support caregivers alongside their patients. If you have ever supported a family member through illness, this episode is for you.
Links:
Family Caregivers BC - Resources for Health-Care Providers
Hub: https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/resources-for-health-care-providers/resources
(https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/resources-for-health-care-providers/resources)
Refer a family caregiver
Online Referral Tool — https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/refer#refer (https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/refer#refer)
Referral & Consent Form (PDF) — https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Caregiver-Rx-Referral-Consent-Form-2026.pdf (https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Caregiver-Rx-Referral-Consent-Form-2026.pdf)
Caregiver Support Line — 1-877-520-3267 (Mon–Fri 8:30–4:00, free)
Quick guides & tools
Caregiver Rx in Practice: A Quick Guide for HCPs (video) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B93vRljVxc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B93vRljVxc)
At-A-Glance Guide for Healthcare Providers (PDF) — https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/An-At-A-Glance-Guide-for-Healthcare-Providers-3.pdf (https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/An-At-A-Glance-Guide-for-Healthcare-Providers-3.pdf)
Caregiver Rx Resources Order Form — https://form.jotform.com/250666938883071 (https://form.jotform.com/250666938883071)
RISE-UP Toolkit for Young Caregivers (PDF) — https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RISEUP_Toolkit_Final.pdf (https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RISEUP_Toolkit_Final.pdf)
Learn - Our Learning Centre
Caregiver Learning Centre (read, watch, listen, short courses) — https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/caregiver-learning-center/ (https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/caregiver-learning-center/)
Education Webinars for Health Care Providers — https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/webinars-for-health-care-providers/watch/ (https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/webinars-for-health-care-providers/watch/)
Stay connected
Caregiver Rx E-News (subscribe) — https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/for-health-care-providers/stay-connected-and-join-our-caregiver-rx-mailing-list (https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/for-health-care-providers/stay-connected-and-join-our-caregiver-rx-mailing-list)
Caregiver Connection Newsletters — https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/caregiver-connection/ (https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/caregiver-connection/)
2 Oct 2026
S5 Ep27: Cutting the Carbon Footprint of Health Care featuring Dr. Maura Brown
Climate change was front and centre this past summer, from another severe wildfire season to record-breaking heat domes around the world. If these environmental threats leave you feeling helpless or anxious about the future, you’re not alone.
In a Qualitycast North first, we explore planetary health and sustainable health care with Dr. Maura Brown, a radiologist at BC Cancer in Vancouver and a strong advocate for sustainability in medical imaging. D
Dr. Brown discusses the scale of health care’s carbon footprint, how quality improvement science can help teams and facilities bring a sustainability lens to their work, and practical ways to address climate anxiety. She also shares steps we can take today, this week, and this month to reduce our own carbon footprint. For anyone ready to take planetary health seriously, Dr. Brown offers the motivation to take that important first step.
Links:
Cascades Canada:
Environment Sustainability in Radiology
(https://cascadescanada.ca/action-areas/specialty-care/radiology/)
Sustainable QI
(https://cascadescanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SE-QI-FINAL-May-6-2026.pdf)
Climate Communications:
Katherine Hayhoe
(https://katharinehayhoe.com/)
Potential Energy Coalition:
Nonprofit marketing and research group that focuses on planet-wide climate communication. They conduct advanced message testing and human-centered research to uncover the most effective ways to talk about climate change and drive public demand for solutions Potential Energy
(https://potentialenergycoalition.org/)
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson:
TED Talk: How to Find Joy in Climate Action
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsOJR40M0as)
EAT Lancet Commission:
The EAT-Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems
(https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/EAT-2025)
Shift – Action for pension wealth and planet health:
Shift - Protect Your Pension and the Planet
(https://www.shiftaction.ca/)
18 Sept 2026
S5 Ep26: Keeping rural emergency department doors open with VERRa featuring Dr. Brydon Blacklaws
As temporary rural emergency room closures become more common and the rural physician shortage continues, virtual physician support is increasingly important for keeping hospital doors open. The Rural Coordination Centre of BC has long been a leader in this area, offering a lifeline to rural emergency departments through its Virtual Emergency Room Rural Assistance program, or VERRa.
In this interview, rural emergency physician Dr. Brydon Blacklaws shares the origins and evolution of VERRa, how the service works, where virtual support is most effective, and where its limits lie. We also explore the broader value of virtual support—from helping local physicians get much-needed rest, to providing an extra “virtual” pair of hands, to being present in the trauma room alongside rural doctors and nurses. Enjoy this heartfelt conversation as Brydon explains why providing virtual support can be just as rewarding as receiving it.
Links:
RCCbc (https://rccbc.ca/)
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine Article about VERRa (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43678-024-00855-5)
Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS) VERRa (https://rccbc.ca/initiatives/rtvs/verra/)
Who has been a guest on Qualitycast North
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Barb Kane
Dr Aron Zuidhof
Dorrie Fasick
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100
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Quality
65
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
68
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