HEALTH CARE
“By the time this exercise is complete there will be a very good,
accurate, evidence-based picture of what’s happening in the
province and where the issues are.”
- Dr. David Peachey
in several different ways. Health Intelligence and Associates has already met
with the SMA board, while other consultants have engaged in visits with
health region senior management and
medical leadership, and – where possible – individual physicians interested
in participating.
Dr. Peachey said the next wave of visits
will take place this spring when an environmental scan is available to show
what has been learned so far, which
will be of keen interest to physicians.
The SMA is also slated to help organize
regional meetings for doctors.
“It’s not just a mechanical metric exercise. It’s about talking to people and
learning the real-world issues that they
face,” Dr. Peachey said.
The PRP analysis will look at population and health needs where they are
today, as well as the potential of what
is going to happen into the future. At
the same time, physician-supply issues
will be analyzed based on variables
such as gender, age, speciality, and
what is known about different trends.
Dr. Peachey says the process allows for
an accurate depiction of what is going
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SMA NEWS DIGEST | SPRING 2014
to happen in five or 10 years.
“By the time this exercise is complete
there will be a very good, accurate,
evidence-based picture of what’s happening in the province and where the
issues are,” he said. “I think the key
thing to stress with the model is that
ours is not a prescriptive model. It’s a
navigational tool, and this tool is built
on assumptions and variables based
on our research. And if those variables
change, then the model will change.”
The Saskatchewan project is being
governed through a Project Advisory
Committee (PAC) with multiple collaborator representation, including
the SMA, to provide advice on planning models, cost, data sources, data
requirements and project phasing. The
PAC will also assist with developing
strategies to involve and consult with
key groups in the development of the
plan.
A Technical Working Group will offer technical expertise to