A Saskatchewan Medical Association survey shows most physicians in the province believe they have the ability to help lead and redesign a health system that is accountable, provides better care for patients and better value for the public.
It also found most doctors are outward-looking 鈥� they want to influence the system beyond their own practices. Physicians also support a team-based approach to care, with decision-making that is shared among other health-care professionals, the SMA survey shows.
鈥淥ver the last year our members told us very clearly that a fragmented health system was diminishing patient care and wasting resources,鈥� said Dr. Intheran Pillay, SMA president. 鈥淥ur survey confirms for us that these views are more widely shared among the province鈥檚 physicians. We are keen to continue talking with our colleagues about these issues, and are looking to work with the Ministry of Health, and other key health-care stakeholders, on how we can build a better, more integrated health system for the people of Saskatchewan.鈥�
Almost 650 doctors completed the SMA survey, which asked physicians questions about their views on team-based care, data and accountability, compensation and physician participation in health system redesign. Respondents were mainly split between specialists (45%), family doctors (43%) and students/residents (12%). The survey took place from Jan. 16 to Feb. 5, 2017.
Results of the survey include:
鈥� 87 per cent think Saskatchewan doctors should be responsible for using health-care resources wisely.
鈥� 68 per cent believe Saskatchewan doctors have the skills to help lead and redesign the health system.
鈥� 89 per cent think doctors have an obligation to influence care beyond their own practices.
鈥� 98 per cent聽 think care is improved when delivered by teams working to maximum scope of practice.
鈥� 74 per cent think the compensation method for Saskatchewan doctors enables them to practise high-quality medicine.
On the issue of accountability, the vast majority (88%) of respondents think the profession needs to promote public reporting on health system performance. Other findings are:
鈥� 86 per cent want to know how their practice compares to that of their peers.
鈥� 76 per cent of Saskatchewan doctors use data from their practices to improve their own performance.
惭辞谤别鈥�
Dr. Pillay said the survey also indicated that a large number of doctors are reporting that they are at risk of burnout, a statistic he finds troubling. One in two specialists identify as being at risk of burnout, as do two out of three general practitioners.
鈥淏urnout is a very real concern for physicians,鈥� Dr. Pillay said. 鈥淭he data we gathered here would seem to confirm that we have a large number of physicians who are managing, but are signalling a very high level of stress. Many physicians recognize this problem and are ready to work on solutions that will lessen the rate of burnout within their profession.鈥�
The Saskatchewan Medical Association (www.sma.sk.ca) is a voluntary, member-based, professional association for physicians, medical students and residents in the province and it is the provincial chapter of the Canadian Medical Association. As the trusted voice of Saskatchewan鈥檚 2,300 practicing physicians, the SMA negotiates for and on behalf of our doctors; supports the educational, professional, economic and personal well-being of physicians; and advocates for a high-quality and patient-centred health care system.
