(file photo/The Canadian Press)

By Glenn Hicks

seeing the doctor

Sask. doctors ‘working harder than ever’ amid pandemic

Sep 21, 2020 | 5:22 PM

It can be frustrating still not being able to get an in-person doctor’s appointment because of the strict COVID protocols at clinics. But the Saskatchewan College of Family Physicians says its ‘working harder than ever’ to keep everyone safe and they continue to encourage patients to contact their family doctor if they’re unwell.

paNOW has heard concerns recently from residents who say they or their child have not been given an appointment for various ailments because they are showing COVID-like symptoms. They’ve been offered a phone or video chat appointment instead or have been referred to a COVID Assessment Centre. paNOW heard from one disgruntled resident – who preferred to remain anonymous – that while many frontline workers like teachers have returned to work, doctors have not yet returned to their normal service.

Family doctors are working harder than ever and a lot of them have been voluntarily redeployed _{– Dr. Myles Deutscher}

But Dr. Myles Deutscher, the president of the College of Family Physicians, says screening protocols remain in place for the safety of all patients and staff, and doctors are making extra efforts to address the public’s needs.

“There’s a lot of people who are scared to come to the office [clinic] and we’re doing our utmost to make sure the office remains a safe environment for people to come and see us,” Deutscher told paNOW. “I want to reassure everyone that we are doing our best to ensure a safe environment.”

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Speaking to concerns that some people have been referred to a local assessment centre rather than get an in-clinic appointment with their regular doctor, Deutscher noted it is family physicians who are helping to staff those centres.

“Family doctors are working harder than ever and a lot of them have been voluntarily redeployed. So, when someone mentions about the COVID Assessment Centre, these centres are run by or staffed by family physicians. They’re working above and beyond their regular workday to run these, and the centres are basically a tool for family physicians to see their patients safely.”

A list of communities with assessment and treatment sites can be found here. Access is by referral: HealthLine 811, family physician, or emergency department.

Deutscher explained the main issue for not being able to see symptomatic patients within the clinic setting comes down to a lack of specialist personal protective equipment like gowns, gloves, goggles and face shields.

“If a clinic doesn’t have access to enough of that resource then the COVID Assessment Centre is a resource that doctors can send their patients to be safely assessed,” he said.

Prescribing over the phone

Deutscher said many patients are happy physicians are now able to prescribe drugs over the phone, saving them the need to make a physical appointment, but he acknowledged there were cases when an in-person assessment is needed.

“In situations when you’re dealing with illness or possible infections, a lot of times that can’t be done over the phone because that requires a physical exam,” he said.

And what about situations where for example, a child can not clearly articulate their symptoms to the doctor over the phone?

“If, for whatever reason, it’s difficult to have a verbal conversation with a patient over the phone or on the computer, we encourage those patients to come to the clinic,” he explained.

Promotional videos

Meanwhile, physicians launched a promotional campaign Monday produced in partnership with the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) telling the public they can still have their health concerns addressed by phone, video chat or in-person.

The short videos feature family doctors telling the audience ‘I am here for you,’ and encouraging patients not to ignore their health needs, especially if they have chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or depression.

In a media release Dr. Barb Konstantynowicz, the president of the SMA said physicians across the province continued to provide high quality care amid the pandemic.

“Through virtual and in-person appointments, we are helping keep Saskatchewan people safe and well,” she said.

With files from Jeff D’Andrea.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow