For many, the inconvenience of hurried, all-too-brief doctor visits means more Canadians are exploring private options for their health care.
Vancouver’s Copeman Healthcare is leading the way into a bold new world of private care.
The clinic’s medical director and family physician, Dr. Beth Donaldson, was initially attracted to the team by the founder’s innovative ideas about preventive medicine.
“I felt frustrated in my previous experiences at other facilities,” says Donaldson. “Visits with patients were short and typically only covered one or two issues. When I heard about this new model for team-based health care that focused primarily on prevention, I said, ‘Sign me up!’ Getting to really know my patients and helping them stay healthy is why I became a GP in the first place.”
Copeman Healthcare is a primary-care facility where patients not only are under the care of a dedicated family physician, but also have access to an entire team of medical professionals. By employing a collaborative approach that includes nutritional counselling, exercise medicine and in-depth diagnostics, as well as mental and cognitive health, care is highly personalized to each patient’s individual needs.
“We continually monitor our clinical outcomes, and our stats show that we are able to achieve excellent health outcomes,” Donaldson explains. “I think it simply comes down to collaboration and taking the time to thoroughly address patient issues through programs like LifePlus.”
Copeman’s flagship care plan, the LifePlus Program features all-inclusive, year-round medical care, including on-time, unhurried appointments with a dedicated team of health-care providers.
Each new LifePlus client receives a health risk assessment, lab work, a thorough medical history and diagnostics testing. Clients meet with those professionals who form their team and who prepare their personalized health plan. Any immediate needs are addressed with internal referrals or through specialist referrals to care providers in the community.
Nicola Fairweather, a 40-year-old director at Vancouver-based StoryTap, joined Copeman two and a half years ago. Originally from the U.K., she saw it as a way to obtain a more personalized approach to her health care – something she had been missing since leaving home.
“I didn’t have any key issues, but I missed having a real connection with my doctor,” she says. “I was so impressed with everyone I met. My nurse, Jill, and clinical co-ordinator, Christine, were extremely welcoming, and are always there to answer my questions. My doctor was amazing and wanted to know all about me – not just my medical history, but also my fears, my hobbies, my interests – everything. Everyone on my team is just so caring – it’s like a family.”
Fairweather also appreciates that appointments are easy to book and run on time. She also likes the convenience of seeing her doctor, getting lab work done and even doing personal training all in the same centre.
“You truly get the feeling that they’re invested in your future just as much as you are,” she says. “Honestly, I just want to thank them for their attention and support, and for always being there for me.”
To find out more about Copeman Healthcare Centre and the LifePlus Program, contact Tia Young at [email protected] or 604-256-9255.
