Plastic Surgery
Research Paper Outline Plastic Surgery Section - Specialties Recruiting and Retention Fund November 6, 2012 Attn: Mr. Eric J. Harris, Q.C. From: Stan Valnicek, MD, Section Head – Plastic Surgery Dear Mr. Harris Thank you for taking the time to review our submission for the SRRF. We have tried to organize it into logical sections representing the issues that we face as a Section. Our argument is based on data from the following sources: 1. Canadian Institute for Health Information http://www.cihi.ca 2. Medical Services Plan (MSP) BC Payment Information 2010/11 report (Latest) 3. Survey of our section membership – October 2012 (83% response rate)
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I have included the raw data in the appendix to this submission. We have tried to use the latest available data sets from sources independent to our section in order be fair and accurate in our claims. I am happy to provide all additional documentation and supporting evidence for items in this submission as required. The goal of this submission is to protect the provision of public hospital based plastic surgery services in the province of BC. Recent media attention in the Vancouver Sun has brought light to the long waits our patients face in the public system: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Operation+Delayed/7494235/story.html Part of the public issue relates to limited hospital resources in the BC public health care system. Barriers to recruitment are primarily driven by availability of OR time and the willingness of Health Authorities to provide the necessary resources for new surgeons. Low remuneration does affect recruitment in areas of the province that are chronically underserviced since competitive rural opportunities exist across Canada even when major urban areas are well staffed. Our main issue as a section is retention of surgeons within the public system and this is primarily driven by significant intra and inter-provincial income discrepancies that put us near the bottom of all surgical specialties.
i
I have included the raw data in the appendix to this submission. We have tried to use the latest available data sets from sources independent to our section in order be fair and accurate in our claims. I am happy to provide all additional documentation and supporting evidence for items in this submission as required. The goal of this submission is to protect the provision of public hospital based plastic surgery services in the province of BC. Recent media attention in the Vancouver Sun has brought light to the long waits our patients face in the public system: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Operation+Delayed/7494235/story.html Part of the public issue relates to limited hospital resources in the BC public health care system. Barriers to recruitment are primarily driven by availability of OR time and the willingness of Health Authorities to provide the necessary resources for new surgeons. Low remuneration does affect recruitment in areas of the province that are chronically underserviced since competitive rural opportunities exist across Canada even when major urban areas are well staffed. Our main issue as a section is retention of surgeons within the public system and this is primarily driven by significant intra and inter-provincial income discrepancies that put us near the bottom of all surgical specialties.