feature
nuity of care issues more broadly.
cess to his whole history. Mr. Price experiWhile we have explored developing polienced delays in receiving important tests,
cies addressing this issue in the past, in the
difficulties contacting the treating physilast 10 years there have been significant
cians, confusion regarding how to book
changes that align well with efforts to imappointments and inadequate communicaprove continuity of care. For example, the
tions from physicians regarding appointintroduction of more family health teams
ments and test results.”
and group practices has had a positive imThe report went on to state that over
pact on after-hours and weekend coverage.
and above the breaks in the continuity of
But problems do persist. We do, for
Mr. Price’s care, there were missed opexample, continue to receive calls about
portunities to expedite it. Even once it
one aspect of continuity of care – patients’
was understood he likely had cancer with
inability to contact physicians, both during
serious complications, it still took nearly
the day and after hours. Many practices antwo months to complete the diagnostic
swer their phones during limited weekday
tests he required, refer him to a specialist,
hours and very few allow patients to leave
and operate. (Please see the sidebar for a
messages. Some practices
description of the breaks in
provide comprehensive after
his continuity of care). Mr.
Price regularly contacted his
In the last 10 years hours care, but some provide none at all, continuing
physicians and “had assumed
there have been
to refer patients to the ER.
a great deal of responsibility
significant changes Pharmacists also often contact
in trying to manage his own
continuity of care,” stated the
that align well with us to report that they have
difficulty reaching physicians
report’s authors.
efforts to improve to clarify prescriptions.
Among the 13 recomcontinuity of care
Given the current landscape
mendations in the HQCA
and the Alberta experience,
report, five were directed at
we’re taking another look at
the College of Physicians and
this issue. But we need you to help – by
Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). Most notably,
telling us what the problems are and helpthe study recommended that the CPSA
ing us to identify potential solutions.
actively monitor compliance with its After
Over the next several months, we will
Hours Access to Care Standard (since rebe engaging doctors, the public and other
named Continuity of Care) which requires
stakeholders in a discussion about continuphysicians to ensure patients have access to
ity of care issues in order to help shape the
continuous care and prohibits directing padevelopment of a new policy. This work is
tients to the ER unless a formal agreement
happening in concert with a review of the
with the ER is in place.
existing Test Results Management policy,
Notably, the Colleges in British Columas this comprises a critical aspect of conbia, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and
tinuity of care. To kick off these projects,
the Yukon also set expectations or provide
we’re currently hosting two discussions
guidance for physicians relating to contionline to get your feedback on continuity
nuity of care issues, including after-hours
of care issues more generally, and specificoverage.
cally relating to our current Test Results
While this college does have policies that
Management policy (please see www.cpso.
touch on continuity of care issues, such as
on.ca). Going forward we’re exploring
the Test Results Management policy, it
additional opportunities to engage with
does not have any policy focused on conticontinued on page 12...
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Dialogue Issue 2, 2016
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2016-06-16 12:26 PM