Into Practice is a series of posts highlighting participants on the BC ECHO on Substance Use, and the ways in which they incorporate their learnings into their practice.

This edition, we hear from Ivana Gojkovic, Coordinator, Clinical and Distribution Pharmacy Services at Provincial Health Services Authority.

My ambition as a pharmacist has always been to provide patient-focused care and to work towards the improvement of healthcare systems. I get that in spades in my current position as the Pharmacy Coordinator for Correctional Health Services (CHS), to clients in 10 provincial correctional centres across British Columbia. Although my role involves some clinical work, my main focus is creating a framework for the provision of standardized medication management policies and procedures that align with evidence-based prescribing practices, and are in full compliance with professional practice, regulatory and accreditation standards. It’s a brand new position, but I welcome the challenge and the rewards this opportunity offers. It aligns well with my personal values and goals of improving health equity for vulnerable populations.

In CHS, we have a large number of clients with substance use disorders, so I wanted to gain as much knowledge as possible on the subject matter. Participating in the BC ECHO on Substance Use seems like a great approach to staying at the cutting edge of this fast-moving issue in healthcare. I enjoy listening to clinicians discuss real-world cases and the way they tackle challenges in their practice. Of course, it’s all evidence-based, but I appreciate that many of the participants have their own specialty within addiction medicine, and there’s something unique about hearing the experts speak about real life situations.

I’ve taken a lot out of the BC ECHO on Substance Use. I appreciate that it is made for and by BC practitioners and I can be sure that the relevant resources and guidance are right for me. The program encourages a multidisciplinary approach to supporting patients with substance use disorder and is a great opportunity to connect with various health care professionals across our province. It has also reinforced my understanding of the different options for patients in terms of opioid agonist therapy.

I’ve also felt that I’ve been able to contribute my own expertise, specifically on the topic of transitions in care. My intimate knowledge of how care is provided in provincial correctional settings could help practitioners ensure continuity of care for people transitioning out of provincial prisons. Overall, I find the program valuable for the tools it provides in the management of substance use disorders and for the unique opportunity that it presents to exchange with other practitioners across the province.

The BC ECHO on Substance Use (Opioid Use Disorder) is a virtual continuing education program that aims to help primary care providers and their teams build capacity in the treatment and management of opioid use disorder.

Through interactive, online, case-based presentations, health care providers enhance competencies and learn through real-world examples, how to incorporate evidence-based practices into their care setting, to improve outcomes for clients and families.

To learn more about the BC ECHO on Substance Use and Project ECHO, visit the website.