Background

The BC Public Advisory Network (BC-PAN) is a collaborative effort between six BC health regulators that aims to foster meaningful public engagement by bringing together a diverse group of public advisors to discuss issues pertinent to health care regulation. The BC-PAN currently consists of 18 public advisors and is actively recruiting people across the province to increase its roster to reflect BC’s geographical and cultural diversity.  

Achievements

During the 2024-2025 year, the BC-PAN:

• Shifted from an annual meeting format to multiple targeted initiatives with individual colleges, creating more efficient and valuable dialogue to gather feedback from public advisors
• Held 3 college-specific engagements
• Hosted a booth at the 2024 BC Health Quality Forum
• Onboarded four new public advisors
• Developed and published a new promotional video
• Expanded its social media presence to Facebook and Instagram

College Actions

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION (DEI) WORKSHOP

In January 2025, the BC-PAN organized a DEI workshop to enhance intercultural competence and cultivate safer and more inclusive spaces for BC-PAN advisors. Recognizing the diversity of BC-PAN advisors’ backgrounds and lived experiences, this workshop aimed to deepen understanding of DEI concepts and address the unique challenges they face when sharing personal and often difficult interactions within the health-care system.

KEY LEARNINGS

• Diversity is a fact, while inclusion is a deliberate action aimed at creating spaces for authenticity.
• Biases formed by personal experiences and cultural values can unconsciously influence interactions and decisions.
• The experience of multiple marginalized identities highlights the need for specific DEI policies to address complex inequities.

Targeted engagement opportunities

BCCOHP PATIENT INPUT ON STANDARDS FOR ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS  

In support of the BC College of Oral Health Professionals’ (BCCOHP) initiative to develop one set of cohesive, patient-centered professional standards that support the delivery of safe care by the oral health team, the BC-PAN participated in a two-part engagement process focused on ethical principles and patient outcomes.

KEY LEARNINGS

• Plain language and thoughtful consideration of accessibility help patients understand their rights and what to expect.
• Standards should be adaptable to accommodate evolving patient needs and emerging healthcare challenges.

CPBC EXPECATIONS OF MEDICATION AND INCIDENT REPORTING

The College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (CPBC) developed a poster to be displayed in all community pharmacy locations across BC. This poster outlines the expectations of care when patients visit pharmacies, providing clear and concise information about what they can anticipate during their visit. As part of a continued effort to refine public-facing materials, public advisors were invited to review the poster and offer feedback through a structured survey.

KEY LEARNINGS

• Clear and succinct messaging is essential to ensure public-facing materials are accessible so that patients understand their rights and expectations when accessing pharmacy services.
• Advisors emphasized the importance of using culturally sensitive language in the poster to foster inclusivity and avoid potential misinterpretations.