Spring/Summer 2004
Member Survey: Good News, but...
Thanks go out to the nearly 400 College members who completed the 2004 online survey that was distributed by e-mail in early July. Overall findings suggest that respondents' opinions of the College and its services have improved significantly, that member access to College information is increasing, and that respondents believe the College should devote more attention to CME/CPD, physician wellness and IMG licensure.
Also noted were limited reports of dissatisfaction with the licensing and discipline processes and possible misunderstanding among some respondents about the respective roles of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and Doctors Nova Scotia (formerly the Medical Society of Nova Scotia). The survey's key findings are summarized below:
Compared to five years ago, would you say that your opinion of the College has:
- Improved greatly 11%
- Improved somewhat 30%
- Remained the same 55%
- Worsened somewhat 2%
- Worsened greatly 2%
Compared to five years ago, would you say the services the College provides you today have:
- Improved greatly 9%
- Improved somewhat 41%
- Remained the same 47%
- Worsened somewhat 2%
- Worsened greatly 1%
Which, if any, of the following areas do you believe the College should pay more attention to? (Choose up to four):
- Support for continuing professional development (CPD or CME) for physicians: 67%
- Support for physician wellness programs: 51%
- Physician education about the rights and obligations of physicians as professionals: 49%
- Assessment and licensing of International Medical Graduates (IMGs): 48%
- Public education about the rights and obligations of physicians as professionals: 36%
- Ongoing assessment with feedback for practicing physicians: 35%
- Partnerships with governments and allied health professions: 31%
The survey gave respondents the opportunity to submit comments on the College and its services. The bulk of these comments fell into the following categories, listed in order of frequency:
- Desire for the College to address the province's physician shortage
- Dissatisfaction with the complaints or licensing processes
- Praise for College improvements
- Desire for the College to represent/defend physicians' interests
- Dissatisfaction with registration fees
- Desire for the College to make greater use of technology.
A number of the open-ended survey responses suggest that misunderstandings may exist among some physicians about the respective roles of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and Doctors Nova Scotia (formerly the Medical Society of Nova Scotia). For the benefit of members, the following two articles describe the roles and functions of the two organizations.
What is the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia?
The medical profession in Nova Scotia is granted the privilege of professional self-regulation under the Nova Scotia Medical Act . The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia is the body responsible for medical professional self-regulation in the province.
The College is governed by a 15-member Council consisting of eight physician members who are elected by their colleagues; one member appointed by Doctors Nova Scotia; one member appointed by Dalhousie Medical School; and five public members appointed by the provincial Cabinet.
The College regulates the practice of medicine and governs its members in accordance with the Act and is regulations. Its key responsibilities include:
1. Undertaking physician registration and licensing
2. Investigating complaints against physicians
3. Encouraging high standards of qualification, practice and ethics among its members
The College develops and distributes professional guidelines and related information to physicians. It also provides financial support to several programs dedicated to maintaining high standards of medical practice, including Dalhousie University's Department of Continuing Medical Education.
In early 2005, the College will launch the Nova Scotia Physician Achievement Review (NSPAR), an assessment program that will fulfill the College's obligation under the medical act to conduct peer review. NSPAR uses a questionnaire-based methodology and will replace the random office audits currently undertaken for the College by the Atlantic Provinces Medical Peer Review (APMPR).
Although its function is mandated by provincial legislation, the College is independent of the provincial government in its day-to-day affairs. It is a non-profit organization that derives most of its revenue from licensing and incorporation fees paid by physicians.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia is distinct from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (medical specialists' organization) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (family physicians' organization).
In 2003, the College was one of three Canadian organizations to receive the Canada Award for Excellence (CAE) from the National Quality Institute of Canada. The award recognized superior organizational performance in key areas such as financial responsibility, strategic planning and continuous quality improvement.
Contact information for the College is available at the bottom of this page.
What is Doctors Nova Scotia?
Doctors Nova Scotia is the professional association representing all doctors in the province. Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, Doctors Nova Scotia has the honour of being the oldest medical association in Canada.
Committed to ensuring that high quality health care is accessible to all Nova Scotians, the association's mission is “to maintain the integrity and honour of the medical profession, to represent all members equitably, and to promote high quality health care and disease prevention in Nova Scotia.”
The association has a membership of about 2,000 physician members serving patients across the province of Nova Scotia. Another 700 members are residents and medical students.
Doctors Nova Scotia strives to serve and represent its members through efforts such as:
• negotiating with government for both the Master Agreement and alternative funding programs (AFPs);
• supporting peer review and medical education;
• offering an Extended Health and Dental plan, maternity leave and student bursaries; and,
• providing the doctorsNS.com website which hosts a comprehensive electronic bookshelf with access to many medical journals.
The organization also strives to enhance the quality of health care and life for Nova Scotians through:
• educating the public on healthy lifestyle choices (i.e. physical activity, flu immunization and smoking cessation);
• supporting community events (i.e. partnering with Sport Nova Scotia, sponsoring the Blue Nose International Marathon Youth Run and sponsoring the 50+ Expo);
• informing Nova Scotians on important health-care issues (i.e. submitting opinion pieces to newspapers on long wait lists and issuing a “Voters Guide on Health-Care Issues” during provincial elections); and
• providing input on health-care policies and legislation (i.e. 100 per cent smoke-free legislation).
Doctors Nova Scotia is always looking for more members input and participation with various events and initiatives. Member involvement can vary from providing feedback on the direction of primary care reform; speaking to students about physical activity and smoking cessation; staffing a booth at events Doctors Nova Scotia sponsors such as Sport Fair, Senior's Expo and the Blue Nose International Marathon Sport Expo; or participating on committees such as the Website Editorial Board and the Member Benefits Committee.
Members are encouraged to contact Doctors Nova Scotia with their input or if they would like to get involved by calling (902) 468-1866 or toll-free 1-800-563-3427.
Responsibilities of Walk-In Clinics
After reviewing concerns raised by an Investigations Committee, the College's Executive committee requested on May 13, 2004 that College members be notified of the following responsibilities of physicians practicing in walk-in clinics:
• A copy of the patient record is to be forwarded to the family physician.
• Any investigations ordered by the walk-in clinic must be followed up by the ordering physician.
• Results of investigations ordered by the walk-in clinic should be copied to the family physician.
Healthcare and Technology Symposium: Presentations Online
On June 5, the College hosted a CME-accredited symposium entitled “Technology and Healthcare: What Do We Want? What Do We Need?” The event brought together a distinguished panel of speakers to discuss technological changes in healthcare and their practical implications for physicians, the public and policy-makers. For those who missed the symposium, selected audio recordings and PowerPoint presentations are available on the College website at http://www.cpsns.ns.ca/2004-symposium.htm .
Approved Prescription Fax Form Online
A model prescription fax form and guidelines for prescription faxing that have been approved by the Nova Scotia Pharmaceutical Society are available for download from the College's website at: http://www.cpsns.ns.ca/pharm.pdf .
Four Physicians Cited in Commendation Letter to College
The College recently received a letter from the family of a patient who had been diagnosed with colon cancer. The letter praised the “excellence and wisdom”, “quick interaction” and “close communication” shown by four physicians handling the case. In forwarding news of the letter to the physicians cited, Dr. Cameron Little, Registrar and CEO noted, “It is a great pleasure to receive such commendations from patients and an even greater pleasure to share them with the physicians involved.”
Payment of Doctors Nova Scotia (Medical Society) fees
Please be advised that membership invoicing for Doctors Nova Scotia (previously Medical Society of Nova Scotia) will be mailed July 16, 2004. Membership in Doctors Nova Scotia is mandatory for all physicians licensed in Nova Scotia. Payment arrangements are due by September 1, 2004. If you have not received your invoice by August 3, 2004, please contact Annette Awalt, Member Services Officer, Doctors Nova Scotia by phone at (902) 468-1866 or by e-mail at annette.awalt@doctorsns.com .
Doctors Nova Scotia will send out reminders at the beginning of September with a final notice in October. Any physicians who have not paid their dues by October 31, 2004 will be reported to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia for non-payment of dues.
As per section 31(2) of the Medical Act of Nova Scotia it is mandatory for physicians to pay dues to the Medical Society of Nova Scotia. Non-payment of these fees can lead to suspension of the physician's medical license with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. Physicians whose licenses must be reinstated with the College are subject to a $505.00 penalty fee.
Halifax Hosting Problem Gambling Conference in October
An international conference on problem gambling sponsored by the Nova Scotia Gaming foundation will be held on October 4-6 at the Westin Hotel in Halifax. Scheduled speakers include Ralph Nader, Maude Barlow and Peter Collins, director of the Centre for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of University of Salford, Manchester, U.K.
With the theme of “Myths, Reality and Ethical Public Policy,” the conference will focus on gambling policy, prevention and treatment. Conference details and registration information are available online at http://www.nsgamingfoundation.org or by calling (902) 424-0963.
Change of Name, Address or E-mail?
The College depends solely on submissions from members to keep its address information up to date. For members' protection, the College requires that change requests be submitted in writing. Address changes submitted by e-mail are acceptable if the e-mail is sent from the e-mail address the College has on record for the member.
Third-party change requests are not accepted. Name changes must be accompanied by the appropriate legal documentation. Address or name changes can also be submitted on an Address or Name Change Notification Form , which is available on the website at http://www.cpsns.ns.ca/address-name-change-form.htm or by contacting the College by phone at (902) 422-5823 or toll-free in Nova Scotia 1-877-282-7767, by fax at 902-422-5035, or by e-mail at amombourquette@cpsns.ns.ca.
How to contact the College
A complete list of College contacts is available HERE.
