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'Keeping the Rural Doctor Informed'
Volume 4 Issue 26
 
October 25th, 2002
1357 Quebec Rural Docs Surveyed
SHAWVILLE - The SRPC released survey results that show that  90% of rural doctors respondents in Quebec feel thatDr Maurice Lamarche threatening their professional autonomy will lead to increasing doctor attrition. Dr Maurice Lamarche, Quebec SRP president said “What is more troubling is that 45% of doctors are considering a move to another province, and 28% considering retirement, as a direct result of recent or proposed Quebec legislation.”
  Dr Jill Konkin, SRPC national president says "Any new legislation developed by the Quebec government needs to consider that 99% of doctors surveyed indicated that physician autonomy was an important part of job satisfaction. Reduce job satisfaction and doctors will look outside the province for employment."
  Other results: 99% of doctors feel that broadly trained 'polyvalent' physicians are very important to provide their community with the health services they need. 79% of doctors feel that the current teaching system is inadequate in providing the breadth of training required for new doctors to practice rural medicine with confidence.
  The average rural doctor surveyed was 15 years in rural medicine most in their current location 58% did hospital inpatient work as part of their practice 53% did ER 25% did aboriginal care 14% did OB 10% did anaesthetics 2% did surgery
  The survey results are valid within +/- 6% at a 95% confidence interval.  Bilingual questionnaires were mailed to 1357 Quebec rural doctors October 4th after validation with a preceding pilot survey. Lickert scales were collapsed into proportions of respondents that agreed or strongly agreed. 
Medical school admission procedures should be based on institutional mission and capacity, and national health work force targets. The open entry system is obsolete" 
-Edinburgh declaration of the World Rural Health Conference
The 'Rural News' is copyright © 2002 Society of Rural Physicians of Canada Articles published in the rural news are opinion of the author(s) unless specifically identified as SRPC policy
Quebec Bill 114 Still Active
SHAWVILLE- Quebec's Bill 114 that forces doctors to fill ER shifts is still active despite government backpedalling over more durable solutions.  A Drummondville doctor was recently summoned at the last minute to cover an overnight ER shift in Shawinigan. He had just a couple hours sleep before making the two-hour drive to do the shift. Quebec liberal leader Mr. Charest said in the Assembly Nationale that the province is losing doctors because of the legislation. He said "It is now a recruiting tool for those outside Quebec who want to attract doctors to their jurisdiction." 
Back to Work in Newfoundland
ST JOHN'S- Doctors are back to work in Newfoundland after the province agreed to put $50M on the table prior to binding  arbitration.  A news blackout continues on the progress of the talks.  Doctors were striking since Oct. 1 for atlantic equity in pay.
Call 911, but not on this phone!
VICTORIA - BC NDP Leader Joy MacPhail pointed out that in the Fraser Valley community of Lytton the emergency room is now closed after 10 p.m., with a phone located outside the locked door.  The phone has a recorded message telling people what to do if they have a medical emergency. 
  For chest pain, patients are instructed to call 911. But the phone does not allow dial-out calls. Ms MacPhail has been quoted as saying that "This is insanity, cruelty and incompetence all rolled into one." 
Telepsychiatry Billing Codes
CANBERRA - In Canada only Ontario lacks any telemedicine fee codes and nine jurisdictions support telepsychiatry. Eight Canadian jurisdictions each support teledermatology and teleradiology which with telepsychiatry are the only areas well supported by evidence.
  Telepsychiatry comes to rural Australia this year with the introduction of their first telemedicine fee code.  Psychaitrists will be paid 15% on top of their standard fees to encourage them to provide this service.  To be eligible for this fee code specialists will have to undertake special training.  Patients will have to see the psychiatrist face to face every fourth visit.