Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Cowichan District Hospital Medical Staff Association and the CDMS? 

The Cowichan District Hospital MSA is established under the Medical Staff Bylaws for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, and it is the organized group of all the members of the medical staff, including dentists, midwives and nurse practitioners that have privileges at Cowichan District Hospital. 
In 2016, the Cowichan District Medical Society was formed in order for our MSA to receive funding as part of the Specialist Services Committee Facility Engagement initiative; the CDMS reports back to monthly MSA meetings and both serve to organize and represent the interests of the medical staff.  For the Cowichan District, having the same physician in the role of MSA Chair and CDMS President has been done for coordination in communicating with other bodies such as HAMAC, LMAC, and Island wide MSA. 

What is Facility Engagement? 
Facility Engagement (FE) was launched by the Specialist Services Committee in 2016 as a BC-wide initiative to strengthen communication, relationships and collaboration between facility-based physicians and their health authorities. The goal is to increase meaningful physician involvement in health authority decisions about their work environment and the delivery of patient care. 
Funding for the FE initiative was committed to by BC health authorities in the 2014 and 2019 Physician Master Agreements.  The Cowichan District Medical Society (CDMS) qualifies for up to $300,000 of funding annually. 

Facility Engagement at CDH

​What is the purpose of the CDMS? 
Engaging medical staff to collaborate in improving patient care and working conditions 
Our objectives: 

Build relationships by connecting with our members and partners regarding opportunities for learning and growth.   
Influence decisions by having the voice of our members heard at the local, regional and provincial levels. 
Support members satisfaction by understanding issues, seeking their suggestions, working together toward improvements, and connecting them with resources/support when needed. 
The CDMS accepts proposals to fund projects and physician time that support our objectives – see our listing of funded projects for examples. 
Funded projects need to: 

1. ‘Fit’ with CDMS purpose:  physician engagement/support and collaboration with stakeholders 
2. Have the potential to improve the quality of care or the workplace experience (including project feasibility and the opportunity for sustainability) 
3. Have budget and measures (in reviewing the project) defined 
4. Not contravene FE funding rules (not for clinical services, equipment, ongoing operations) ​