Get ready for Clinical Practice Redesign - Saskatchewan Medical ...

The SMA joins social 

media revolution 

A publication of the Saskatchewan Medical Association 

Volume 52 Issue 1 

Local physician receives 

national recognition 

Spring Springg 2012 201 20 20122 New SASM president talks 

CONCUSSION 

IN SPORT 

�� 

SMSS Wellness Week 

�� 

Membership survey 2012

SPRING 2012 | VOLUME 52 ISSUE 1 

SMA News Digest is the official member 

magazine of the Saskatchewan Medical 

Association. It is published four times per 

year and is distributed to nearly 90 per cent 

of practising physicians in Saskatchewan. 

Upcoming issues 

The next issue of SMA News Digest will be 

distributed in June 2012; the following 

issue will be distributed in September 

2012. 

Bylines 

Where bylines are not given, articles 

were written or solicited by SMA communications 

staff. 

Advertising 

The deadline for booking and submitting 

advertising for the summer issue is Tuesday, 

May 22, 2012. Rates for display advertising 

are available upon request. Classified 

ad placement is free for members 

promoting physician, locum and practice 

opportunities; ads should be submitted 

via email and must not exceed 150 words. 

Feedback 

Member feedback is valuable and encouraged. 

Please direct comments, letters, 

ideas and advertising inquiries to: 

Nicole Quintal 

Communications Advisor 

Saskatchewan Medical Association 

402 - 321A - 21st Street East 

Saskatoon SK S7K 0C1 

(306) 244-2196 

nicole@sma.sk.ca 

CEO 

Dr. Vino Padayachee 

SMA mission 

The mission of the Saskatchewan Medical 

Association is to advance the educational, 

professional and economic 

welfare of Saskatchewan physicians; 

to advance the honour and integrity of 

the profession; and to promote quality 

health care practices, quality health 

services, and to advocate for a quality 

health care system for Saskatchewan. 

3 

4 

16 

contents 

Board calls for member input 

The SMA board of directors is beginning the planning cycle 

for the upcoming 2013-2016 strategic plan and wants to 

consider members’ current needs. 

SMA goes a-Twitter 

The SMA has entered into the realm of social media. Follow 

@sma_docs on Twitter. 

Sports medicine in Saskatchewan 

The new SASM president, Dr. Paul Taillon, discusses the 

new concussion research that is happening at the University 

of Saskatchewan. 

16

3 

4 

Photo by Josh Schaefer 

spring 2012 

2 

3 

4 

4 

5 

6 

7 

7 

8 

10 

11 

13 

15 

16 

19 

21 

22 

24 

26 

28 

32 

your SMA 

President’s note 


SMA docs is now on Twitter 

New life insurance plan benefits members 

Specialist directory a user-friendly resource 

Spotlight on the Appointment and Awards Committee 

Local doctor receives national recognition 

SMA Physician of the Year Award 

health care 

Get ready for Clinical Practice Redesign 

SMA hopeful new research will improve efficiency 

Ministry plans to LEAN the system 

Lab results faster? Now that’s a good thing! 

EMR Roadshow generates interest 

Sports medicine in Saskatchewan 

How privacy considerations drive patient decisions 

students and residents 

Med 1 hosts annual art show and silent auction 

SMA showcases Rural Relief Program 

U of S medical students gear up for Wellness Week 

spring calendar 

classifieds 

obituaries

president’s note 

New initiatives at SMA 

Spring is just around the corner 

and just as new life will 

soon be seen throughout Saskatchewan, 

so are a number of new 

undertakings coming to life at your 

association. 

Facts from this issue 

2 Spring 2012 SMA News Digest 

In this issue you will learn about 

our impending membership survey, 

which I strongly urge you to participate 

in as your insight will prove 

valuable to our future direction. You 

will also get a glimpse into our new 

collaborative life insurance plan for 

our respective members. 

We will also talk about what is happening 

on the provincial front with 

our government undertaking an 

ambitious 50-year process to LEAN 

health care throughout the province 

and throughout the system. We’ll 

also talk about some exciting happenings 

regarding sports medicine 

research in Saskatchewan, and I encourage 

all members to take an ac- 

tive role in your particular section’s 

activities. 

Please enjoy this issue of your SMA 

News Digest and as always, email me 

at smanewsdigest@sma.sk.ca with 

any questions, comments, or concerns. 

Dr. Phillip Fourie 

Contact SMA President Dr. Phillip Fourie 

by email: smanewsdigest@sma.sk.ca 

�� The Saskatchewan Laboratory Results Repository (SLRR) database has already accumulated more than 

15 -million laboratory test results, increasing by approximately 50,000 additional results each day* 

Read the full article on page 13 

�� 641 physicians in 192 clinics across the province are enrolled in the Saskatchewan EMR Program* 


�� The results of a recent privacy survey indicated that 43.2 per cent of patients would withhold information 

from their care provider based on privacy concerns. 42.9 per cent stated they would seek 

care outside of their community due to privacy concerns, with 33.7 per cent indicating that they 

would travel 50 kilometers or more in order to keep their sensitive information confidential* 


�� Facts current as of press time


Survey will help shape strategic direction 

By Scott Donaldson 

your SMA 

“Results from a membership survey will help inform the 

strategic direction of the organization.” 

-Dr. Phillip Fourie 

The SMA board of directors is beginning the planning cycle 

for the upcoming 2013-2016 strategic plan. The board will 

set strategic priorities that will make the SMA mission come 

alive, while considering membership’s current needs. 

“Other than the SMA’s mission, the organization needs to remain 

accountable to the membership. One of the best ways to 

do this is by requesting their feedback on various topics related 

to the services we provide,” says SMA President Dr. Phillip Fourie. 

“Results from a membership survey will help inform the 

strategic direction of the organization.” 

The survey process will be simple. The SMA has a proposal from 

Insightrix Research, a Saskatchewan-based company, to de- 

�� 

a 55-day time-frame. Therefore member participation will be 

��tegic 

planning. 

Survey questions will encompass all of the service areas the 

SMA is currently involved with as well as probing members for 

�� 

“The survey will encompass everything from communications, 

to insurance, to privacy, to physician health and beyond,” Dr. 

Fourie says. “Results from the survey will provide valuable evaluation 

of our current practices and help the board to determine 

the values and topics of interest to our members. This information 

can then be taken into the strategic planning process.” 

The SMA member survey will be conducted within the next few 

months. Dr. Fourie would like to thank members in advance for 

their participation and valuable insights that will help shape 

the association’s future direction. 

SMA SM SMA News Ne News w Dig Digest iges es est Spring Sp Spri ri r ng 2012 201 01 012 2 3

your SMA 

@sma_docs 

is now on 

twitter 


Follow us on Twitter! 

The SMA has entered into the realm of social media. You 

can find us on Twitter. We’re @sma_docs – check us out at 

twitter.com. Follow us and we’ll follow you. 

To get started, head to twitter.com and create an account. 

You will then need to fill in your profile and start following 

the people and companies you’re interested in. 

It’s quite simple. To find the SMA, put sma_docs into the 

search menu. You will soon be able to start tweeting. 

Have something to say? Go ahead and type it in. 

Good luck and happy Tweeting! 

New life insurance plan benefits members 

By Doré Collett 

The SMA has joined forces with the AMA and the BCMA 

to provide a new life insurance plan for our respective 

members. This collaboration, with its significant purchasing 

power, has resulted in an extremely competitive and 

comprehensive common group life insurance product 

with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. 

All SMA life insurance plan holders will have received a 

detailed letter regarding the changes. If you hold insurance 

through the SMA, your coverage will be automatically 

rolled over into the improved plan; it will be rounded 

up to the nearest $50,000 and won’t reduce over time. 

Residents with SMA life insurance will also benefit from 

the changes and the University of Saskatchewan, through 

the collective agreement with PAIRS, will continue to pay 

your premiums while you are a resident. 

Due to the change in insurance carriers from Standard 

Life to Sun Life, it will be necessary to complete the Beneficiary 

Designation Form (available in the members section 

of the website) and return it to the SMA. Upon receipt 

of the completed form, you will be mailed your new 

life insurance benefit schedule. 

If you have any questions about your SMA insurance coverage, 

please contact Cindy Anderson via email cindy@sma. 

sk.ca, or call (306) 244-2196 in Saskatoon or toll-free in Saskatchewan 

1-800-667-3781.

Specialist Directory a user-friendly resource 

Submitted letter 

This letter is to update you on some exciting developments 

regarding the Saskatchewan Specialist Directory. 

The online Directory is accessed by about 750 different 

visitors every month. You play an important role in ensuring 

the continued success of this important resource. 

The Specialist Directory was created because primary care 

physicians asked for information to assist them in referring 

patients to the appropriate specialists. Championed 

by the Senior Medical Officer Committee and supported 

by the Saskatchewan Medical Association, it was the first 

tool of its kind in Canada and supports shared decisionmaking 

between doctors and their patients. 

The Specialist Directory is being promoted through a 

province-wide television commercial that began airing in 

mid-February – one of a number of initiatives underway 

to promote this user-friendly resource. The commercial 

features a Saskatchewan family physician who has found 

the directory to be a valuable tool that helps him better 

serve his patients. 

The Specialist Directory can be found at www.health.gov. 

sk.ca/specialists. With only two mouse clicks, it allows doctors 

and patients to view all the surgeons who perform a 

particular procedure. You can use the information to find 

the timeliest option for patients, and feel confident that 

the surgeon selected can provide the required procedure. 

Patients still need a doctor’s referral to see a specialist. 

Doctors and patients can work together to find useful information 

on all surgeons who perform surgeries in hospital 

operating rooms in Saskatchewan. The Specialist Directory 

simply shows them their options and helps them 

choose a surgeon based on what’s important to them, 

whether that is location, surgeon or timeliness of service. 

It may be especially useful to physicians who are new to 

the province and unfamiliar with practising surgeons. 

Over the past year, we gathered feedback from primary 

care physicians and patients and used it to improve the 

Directory. Plans are now underway to expand the Directory 

to include other specialties. 

Saskatchewan physicians inspired these efforts to im- 

your SMA 

The Specialist Directory is 

accessed by about 750 different 

visitors every month. 

prove surgical referral processes. We would like to encourage 

you to work with your patients in using the directory 

and thank you for supporting our mutual goal of 

reducing surgical wait times. 

Sincerely, 


President, Saskatchewan Medical Association 

AND 

Dr. Brian Laursen, Chairperson 

Senior Medical Officer Committee 

SMA News Digest Spring 2012 5

your SMA 

Spotlight on the Appointment and Awards 

Committee 

By Susan Randell 

Saskatchewan Medical Association members provide 

direction and guidance to the organization through 

the Representative Assembly, the Board of Directors 

and a number of different committees. In each edition in 

2012, SMA News Digest will highlight a different committee 

or governing entity, with the goal of keeping members 

up-to-date and informed about the responsibilities, 

action and results obtained through committee work and 

physician leadership. In this issue, the focus is on your 

Appointments and Awards Committee. 

The current Appointments and Awards Committee is 

made up of the following members: 

Dr. Guruswamy Sridhar, Chair of Nominating Committee 


Dr. Intheran Pillay 

Dr. Janet Shannon 

Staff 

Ms. Brenda Senger, Director, Physician Support Programs 

Ms. Wendy Rink, Executive Assistant 

The committee’s role is to: 

�� conduct an annual review and periodic evaluation of 

committees, their membership and chairs and Terms 

of Reference 

�� review SMA representation on outside bodies as 

needed from time to time 

�� review awards to be bestowed and review suitable 

candidates when requested by the board of directors 

�� make recommendations to the board of directors on 

appointments to committee chairs, SMA representation 

on outside bodies and suitable candidates for receiving 

awards. 


Interested in joining an 

SMA committee? 

Many of our committees are looking for members. 

If you are interested in joining one of them, then 

please contact us at sma@sma.sk.ca indicating the 

committee you’re interested in. 

Our committees are: 

Economics 

Finance 

Information Technology 

Insurance 

Intersectional Council 

Legislation and Policy 

Medical Benevolent Society Board of Directors 

Medical Benevolent Society Management 

Medical Compensation Review 

Physician Benefits 

Physician Health Program 

Political Action 

Primary Care 

Rural and Regional Practice 

SMA eHealth 

Specialist Recruitment and Retention 

Tariff 

Uninsured Services

Local doctor receives national recognition 


Saskatchewan’s very own Dr. Lalita 

Malhotra has been piling up the 

accolades over the past few years and 

has been recently named one of Canadian 

Living magazine’s Top 35 Amazing 

Women. The women were chosen 

because they inspire others to stop 

and look at life a little differently. 

She’s certainly in good company – 

she was listed along with Honourable 

Dr. Lalita Malhotra 

Michaelle Jean, former Governor- 

General of Canada, astronaut Julie 

Payette and writer Alice Munro. 

These types of awards are becoming 

commonplace for Dr. Malhotra. One 

of her most outstanding achievements 

to date has been receiving the 

Order of Canada in 2006. She has also 

been awarded the Saskatchewan Order 

of Merit in 2001 and Prince Albert 

Citizen of the Year in 2008. In 2010, 

she was also named one of Canada’s 

Top 25 Immigrants, an award presented 

by RBC Royal Bank. 

Dr. Malhotra says she finds inspiration 

in the people around her to do 

the work she does. Much of her work 

centres on women’s health issues and 

she also works closely with First Nations 

in northern Saskatchewan who 

SMA Physician of the Year Award 

In order to recognize the valuable contribution and service 

of another exemplary Saskatchewan physician, the 

SMA is now accepting applications for its Physician of the 

Year Award. The SMA board of directors has broadened 

the physician nomination criteria this year and simplified 

the submission process. Under the new criteria, a colleague, 

a section, an RMA, a community or a citizen can 

nominate a physician. A CV of the candidate will no longer 

be necessary. Instead, a summary of the candidate’s 

achievements and why they should be considered is all 

that is required. All submissions will be forwarded to the 

Appointments and Awards Committee for consideration. 

In order to be considered, a physician must be an SMA 

member and be living in Saskatchewan at the time of 

the nomination. The award is presented for outstanding 

contributions made by a physician either during a par- 

your SMA 

have labeled her the ‘Angel of the North’. 

“I’ve been in Saskatchewan for 36 

years and I find the people around me 

are so stimulating,” she said, adding 

that she regularly visits schools in 

northern Saskatchewan to promote 

the importance of education – an 

experience she finds both rewarding 

and fun. 

Dr. Malhotra recently travelled to India 

to meet Premier Brad Wall who 

was on a trade mission promoting 

Saskatchewan industries abroad. Dr. 

Malhotra is receiving support from 

the Government of Saskatchewan and 

the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency to 

establish a cervical screening program 

to improve maternal health 

for hundreds of women in the New 

Delhi area. 

ticular time span or throughout his s or 

her career. Physician contributions s can 

be made in the medical profession n or volunteer 

sector and can be to a community munity 

or district, or at the provincial, national onal or 

international level. 

There must be two nominators, and nominations must 

include a completed nomination form signed by both 

nominators, a summary of the candidate’s achievements 

and at least one letter of reference. The new forms are on 

the SMA website at the following link: www.sma.sk.ca/ 

poty.aspx 

The nomination deadline is March 23, 2012, with the 

award being presented at the spring meeting of the 

Representative Assembly in May 2012. 


health care 

Get ready for Clinical Practice Redesign 

�� 

Most office processes simply become habit over 

time, and rarely do we step back and think about 

why things are done in a certain way and how 

they can be improved. Even when we know “there’s got 

to be a better way,” the solution isn’t always obvious. 

Saskatchewan’s new Clinical Practice Redesign initiative 

gives you the tools and support you need to assess 

the demands on your practice, identify your capacity and 

identify priority areas for making improvements, within 

and between practices and other health care services (e.g. 

specialists and labs). 

The Clinical Practice Redesign initiative is being developed 

in partnership by the Health Quality Council, the 

Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan 

Medical Association (SMA). It is being delivered as part of 

the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative. 

Clinical practice redesign is a set of tools and methodologies 

designed to improve access to care, office processes 

and communication and effectiveness between office settings 

and other health care providers. You may be familiar 

with other approaches aimed at providing patients with 

better, quicker access to care. But improving access to 

care is only one part of the clinical practice redesign. 

If you are experiencing frustration at work or your workload 

seems overwhelming, improving your office processes 

can often make a radical difference. Part of clinical 

practice redesign involves finding ways to make office 

processes more efficient, to make the best use of everyone’s 

time—creating a more manageable and enjoyable workplace. 


Clinical Practice Redesign is designed to achieve four objectives: 

1. Improve the patient experience 

2. �� 

3. �� 

4. Improve the staff experience 

Working with a geographic coach can help 

In support of the initiative, Regional Health Authorities 

have hired geographic coaches, located throughout the 

province. A coach can help a clinic’s improvement team: 

�� learn how to use continuous improvement tools and 

methods to make and test changes 

�� understand what data to collect and what that information 

is telling you about your improvements 

�� learn how to use a special web-based tracking tool, 

created as part of the initiative, to make measurement 

easier 

�� improve communication at all levels by making sure 

those most affected have an opportunity to provide 

feedback on your changes 

�� create a plan for sustaining all your great work. 

�� 

�� 

have an available coach, you can still access coach support by 

��- 

�� 

hqc.sk.ca.

More time to enjoy 

your practice 

More input into 

changes that affect 

you and your patients. 

Start and end your 

day on time. 

Coaches can help you 

make improvements 

that stick. 

Clinical Practice 

RedesignTM 

Your solutions. Your practice. Everyone’s health. 

CPR 

Government of 

Saskatchewan 

For more information contact: 

Mel Weiman, Health Quality Council 

(306) 668-8810 ext. 102 or 

mweiman@hqc.sk.ca

health care 

SMA hopeful new research will improve efficiency 


On Friday, January 20, 2012, the Government of Canada 

announced new research funding aimed at improving 

Canada’s healthcare system. The announcements were 

made at West Winds Primary Health Centre in Saskatoon 

by the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health; 

the Honourable Don McMorris, Saskatchewan Minister of 

Health and Dr. Robyn Tamblyn from the Canadian Institutes 

of Health Research (CIHR). 

“When it comes to health care, our 

government is focused on getting results 

for Canadians,” said Minister Aglukkaq. 

“I’m proud to announce this 

investment because this research will 

support provinces and territories in 

their efforts to make their health systems 

more efficient and effective.” 

The more than $30 million in funding will support teams 

of researchers and decision-makers to conduct research 

in two areas: chronic disease prevention and management 

and access to care for vulnerable populations, such as children, 

seniors, poor, elderly and Aboriginal communities. 

Federal Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq 

addresses reporters in Saskatoon. 


In attendance on behalf of the SMA were President Dr. 

Phillip Fourie and CEO Dr. Vino Padayachee. 

“Funding to help improve the health care system in Saskatchewan 

is always welcome,” said Dr. Fourie. “We must 

remember, however, that it is important to allocate funds 

appropriately, based on thorough dialogue between all of 

health care’s stakeholders, so that 

“Funding to help improve 

the health care 

system in Saskatchewan 

is always welcome.” 

we can meet our goal of improving 

the health of the people in Saskatchewan 

with a sustainable delivery 

system.” 

The Honourable Don McMorris 

agrees: “Strengthening primary 

health services to ensure patientcentred 

care is key to transforming 

health care delivery. This initiative 

offers health research teams in Saskatchewan and other 

jurisdictions the opportunity to enhance chronic disease 

management and better connect patients to primary 

care.” 

- Dr. Phillip Fourie 

One part of the program, to be led by the Saskatoon Health 

Region, will promote the retention of current and potential 

employees by offering tools and support such as skills 

upgrading and language training to help them bridge 

into their trained professions. The five-year project is expected 

to assist more than 200 health care employees in 

Saskatchewan. The goal of the projects, funded by Health 

Canada, is to put more health care professionals in practice 

in Saskatchewan. 

The College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan 

will head the second part of this initiative, which will 

evaluate a Saskatchewan-based pilot assessment process 

for international medical graduates (IMGs) who wish to 

practise medicine in Saskatchewan. The result of this new 

assessment process will be that IMGs from an expanded 

list of countries will be more easily able to enter the work 

force. Minister McMorris was quick to add that the government’s 

priority isn’t just having people fill positions, 

but rather ensuring that potential employees are competent 

and qualified for jobs.

Ministry plans to LEAN the system 

�� 

Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health is in the midst of an 

ambitious plan to alter the way it strategizes and delivers 

health care across the province. If successful, the 

province will be the first in Canada to introduce the lean 

system of management to all of its 43,000-plus health care 

workers and managers. 

Dan Florizone, deputy minister of health, says the 50-year 

project will include everyone from the nurse practitioner 

in a remote northern clinic to dozen-member teams in big 

city operating rooms. 

“This is transformational,” Florizone said. “No state or 

province that I’m aware of in the world has attempted it 

on this scale.” 

In 2008, Florizone was recruited to the ministry from 

his post as CEO of the Five Hills Health Region in Moose 

Jaw largely to lead the introduction of lean management 

across the provincial health system. Florizone had instituted 

the lean system in Five Hills, which acted as a test 

site for the province’s early dabbling in the philosophy. 

Pilot projects in that region reduced injuries and eliminat- 

health care 

ed a backlog of jobs for maintenance workers, squeezed 

in more colonoscopies without increasing spending and 

juggled supply carts to cut down time professionals spent 

doing inventory counts. 

A last-minute redesign of the Moose Jaw Union Hospital’s 

ER has also paid off. In a recent Health Quality Council 

survey of emergency room patients, respondents gave that 

hospital some of the best ratings in the province for waiting 

times and quality of care from health-care workers. 

What is lean management? 

Pioneered by Toyota, lean methods have been embraced 

by players in the manufacturing and service sectors. The 

key is to look at a product or service from a customer’s 

perspective and identify waste or aspects a customer 

wouldn’t pay for by choice. Defective products, waiting or 

walking back and forth to see different health-care workers 

have no value in the eyes of consumers. 

Eliminating waste every time a step is repeated can add 

up to significant gains, according to the philosophy. The 

ideas about what constitutes waste have to come from the 


health care 

“No state or province that I’m aware of in the 

world has attempted it on this scale.” 

front lines - in this case, health care workers, patients and 

their families. 

Florizone admits he was skeptical until he participated in 

a workshop at Seattle’s Virginia Mason Medical Centre in 

2004. 

“It’s going to take a lot of leadership to be able to convince 

people this isn’t a fad,” Florizone said. “There’s only 

one way to convince the skeptic and that’s the way I was 

convinced - let’s do it.” 

It is a mistake to think health care is so different from 

other industries that it can’t use the same solutions manufacturers 

have already found to similar problems, Florizone 

said. 

“The old way of cost-cutting was absolutely wrong-headed,” 

he said. “I realized for the first time why we were so 

mistaken in the ‘80s and ‘90s when we were cutting budgets 

and ending up with poor service at the end of the 

day.” 

Deciding what to tackle is another key component of lean 

management. Florizone said an organization needs to 

pick just a couple of top priorities and focus intensely on 

them before moving on to the rest of its wish list. “If everything’s 

a priority, nothing’s a priority.” 

The government has organized lean’s provincial rollout 

into two phases. 

The planning phase in lean management is usually called 

hoshin kanri, a Japanese phrase. The government is calling 

it ‘strategy deployment.’ 

Unlike current strategic planning, high-level executives 

will run their proposed priorities before teams of lowerlevel 

managers and front-line workers, and then consider 

their feedback before proceeding. 


-Dan Florizone, Deputy Minister of Health 

Phase two will take several years and involves building up 

local expertise and getting more than 43,000 workers in 

the province’s health regions, the Saskatchewan Cancer 

Agency, the Health Quality Council and the Health Ministry 

thinking like a synchronized lean machine: Identify 

waste, test a possible fix, evaluate the outcome and repeat. 

The cycle can, and should, go on forever. 

To do this, the province needs a lean expert, or sensei, to 

lead it. This fall, the Saskatchewan Association of Health 

Organizations issued two requests for proposals - one 

contract for about six months of lean leadership to do the 

first phase of planning - hoshin kanri - and a longer-term 

contract to help roll out the lean system. 

SAHO Past President and CEO Susan Antosh said the first 

contract was awarded in October to American consultants 

John Black and Associates. The second contract has not 

yet been awarded. 

The consultants won’t just teach and run, she said - the 

region wants to build a long-term relationship with someone 

who has the experience and knowledge to guide them 

through years of significant cultural change. 

The SMA is currently in discussions with the provincial 

government regarding lean implementation and the role 

for physicians in the transformation process.

Lab results faster? Now that’s a good thing! 

�� 

You may have wondered if the day would come when you’d see a patient in the morning, order lab tests, and then 

have the results on your computer later in the day. With this information in hand, you could contact your patient 

and order treatment, without further delay. This is the reality for Saskatchewan physicians already receiving lab results 

through their electronic medical record (EMR) systems. 

And along the same lines, did you hope for a day when you 

knew that other providers working with your patients 

could access past lab results no matter where the patients 

received treatment, whether it be in a walk-in clinic, the 

emergency room or a specialized surgery or treatment in 

another Saskatchewan community? 

Beginning in April 2012, 85 per cent of all electronic 

laboratory results will be available for viewing online by 

authorized health care professionals through Saskatchewan’s 

eHealth Portal. The eHealth Portal is a secure online 

tool developed by eHealth Saskatchewan, with the 

support of Canada Health Infoway, that will allow authorized 

health care providers to see lab results for patients, 

even for tests they have not ordered. 

With the addition of the eHealth Portal, lab results 

will be available to you in these ways: 

EMR 

If you have an EMR, results for lab tests you order are delivered 

to your EMR, copied to others you choose such as 

specialists and stored securely in the Saskatchewan Laboratory 

Results Repository (SLRR). If your EMR already 

receives electronic lab results, and an ordering provider 

copies you on the requisition they are making, a copy of 

those results will be sent to your EMR. 

The eHealth Portal 

The eHealth Portal has been developed by eHealth Saskatchewan 

for use by a wide variety of health care providers 

including physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners 

and home care nurses. If your patient receives 

care from another authorized provider, and lab work is 

ordered, the results are stored in the SLRR for access by 

you or other authorized providers. Beginning April 2012, 

physicians will be one of the first groups that will be offered 

this service 

Sunrise Clinical Manager 

If Sunrise Clinical Manager is available in your health region, 

you may use it to view local lab results for your patients. 

eHealth Saskatchewan 

Lab Results Now Available to Providers Sooner 

Saskatchewan has a new electronic health 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

� �� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

� �� 

health care 

A Saskatchewan Treasury Board 

Crown Corporation 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

Above: A preview of one of the new eHealth 

posters promoting new developments in the 

�� 

Saskatchewan electronic health information 

system. As of April 2012, 85 per cent of all electronic 

lab results will be available for viewing 

online by authorized health care professionals 

through Saskatchewan’s eHealth Portal. 

Image courtesy of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health 


health care 

Saving you money, time and effort 

Using tools like these can save your practice money. Receiving 

lab results electronically reduces your paper use 

and storage, and will result in reduced distribution and 

duplication costs for you. It virtually eliminates the need 

to receive or forward lab results by fax or courier. 

The eHealth Portal provides the ability for authorized 

providers across the province to look up past results easily, 

significantly reducing the need to order duplicate tests 

for patients. 

Where is the service available now? 

Any eligible authorized care provider with access to a 

qualified EMR system, or access to the eHealth Portal, can 

securely view laboratory results. Although not every region 

is currently providing results to the SLRR database, 

we’re working on it. 

Over 85 per cent of all test results captured by regional 

laboratory information systems (LIS) and the Saskatchewan 

Disease Control Laboratory are already available 

in SLRR. The tool already contains results from: the Saskatchewan 

Disease Control Laboratory and the Regina 

Qu’Appelle, Sunrise, Five Hills and Saskatoon Health Regions. 

Other regional health authorities will be phased 

in shortly. Kelsey Trail Health Region lab results will be 

available early in 2012 and Sun Country Health Region in 

the first half of 2012. As the remaining regional health authorities 

replace their LIS, their results will be available 

via SLRR. 

Electronic laboratory results are safe and secure 

Safeguards are in place to ensure only health professionals 

involved in direct care can access a patient’s personal 

health information. Policies, procedures and computer 

systems are in place to protect information from unauthorized 

use, error or loss and to record who has viewed 

the data. While there are many benefits to the program, a 

masking option has been developed where residents can 

request that their laboratory results be hidden from view. 

If you have patients who would like to investigate this option 

please ask them to call the eHealth Saskatchewan Privacy 

Service at 1-800-667-1672, or visit www.health.gov. 

sk.ca/masking for more information. 


The SLRR has already accumulated 

over 15-million laboratory test results, 

increasing by approximately 

50,000 additional results each day. 

How to access the service 

More information about the EMR program is available 

through the Saskatchewan Medical Association at this 

email address EMR@sma.sk.ca, at www.sma.sk.ca or by 

contacting Davin Church at (306) 337-5455. 

To learn how to access the eHealth Portal, please contact 

Transition and Change Management Services at eHealth 

Saskatchewan at (306) 337-0633. 

For more information about associated privacy considerations 

please contact the provincial eHealth Privacy Service 

at privacyandaccess@ehealthsask.ca or call 1-800- 

667-1672. 

You may receive questions about the eHealth Portal. In 

addition to the information on our website www.gov. 

sk.ca/labresults, printed information is available that you 

can display in your office. To order brochures and posters, 

please contact Transition and Change Management Services 

at eHealth Saskatchewan at (306) 337-0633. 

The provincial electronic health record 

SLRR joins other components of the provincial electronic 

health record and regional point-of-service electronic 

systems already in place. 

The Radiology Information System and Picture Archiving 

System (RIS-PACS) allows authorized clinicians to securely 

access digital images such as CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds 

and mammography, regardless of their physical location: 

at the office, at home or wherever a secure internet connection 

is available. 

The Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP) contains 

a record of prescription drugs dispensed from all community 

pharmacies in the province. The primary goal of PIP 

is to improve quality of care by providing the information 

and tools that authorized care providers need to make optimal 

drug therapy decisions.

EMR Roadshow 

generates interest 

By Doré Collett 

health care 

The Saskatchewan EMR Program hosted a series 

of information sessions in November 2011. SMA 

members were invited to meet members of the 

EMR team and other physicians to learn about the benefits 

of converting to an electronic medical record solution. 

All three approved EMR vendors, Med Access, MD 

Physician Services and Optimed, answered questions and 

gave hands-on demonstrations of their applications. The 

vendors noticed that attendees were impressed with how 

easy and advantageous using an EMR can be. 

A total of 192 

clinics and 641 physicians in 

the province have 

implemented an EMR solution. 

Eighty-four people attended the three sessions, which 

took place in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Fortyfive 

practices were represented by 34 physicians and 50 

of their medical office staff. Almost all of the attendees 

stated that after attending the EMR information event, 

their overall feelings toward the use of EMR has become 

more positive. 

At the time of publication, a total of 192 clinics and 641 

physicians in Saskatchewan had implemented an EMR solution. 

As a result of the EMR Roadshow, 16 more clinics 

expressed interest in the program. 


feature 

Sports 

Medicine in 

Saskatchewan 

�� 

�� 

Sports are a fundamental part of life in Saskatchewan 

and across Canada. Sports create a sense of community, 

instilling a shared sense of pride when watching 

the home team take the gold or marveling in the sheer 

athletic brilliance that some of our favourite sports stars 

bring to the game. 

However, for athletes to achieve that gold medal or that 

extra point, they obviously must maintain optimum physical 

fitness – but they also rely on a team of professionals 

to help keep them healthy and injury-free as much as possible. 

One of these professionals is Dr. Paul Taillon, a sports 

medicine physician with the University of Saskatchewan 

(U of S) Huskie Athletics and the new president of the Saskatchewan 

Academy of Sports Medicine (SASM). 

Dr. Taillon has been involved with sports medicine since 

1987, primarily with hockey. He made the move to Saskatoon 

in 1995 when he began practising with the U of S 

Huskies hockey team – a role he still fulfills today. In addition 

to his work with local sports teams, he has stretched 

his practice to national and international levels; he was 

part of three Canada Games’ medical teams, in addition to 

the IIHF World Junior Hockey Tournament, world figure 

skating and world junior volleyball medical teams when 

those events were held in Saskatchewan.

Concussion in sport 

One particular aspect of sports medicine Dr. Taillon is 

most passionate about has been a hot topic in the media 

lately, especially following the recent crop of injuries sustained 

by superstars such as Sidney Crosby – concussion 

in sport. 

Dr. Taillon said research in this area has evolved immensely 

in the last 20 years. In the past, concussions were 

categorized as mild, moderate or severe, and physicians 

would primarily rely on the gradual 

resolve of symptoms before returning 

an athlete to sport; however, exciting 

research developments are happening 

right here in Saskatchewan that are allowing 

for a more reliable determination 

of recovery all before the athlete 

returns to contact play. 

“As you know, concussion in sport is 

a real focus now with all these super- 

-Dr. Paul Taillon, SASM President 

stars being sidelined. Anywhere from 

25 to 35 players are out in the NHL at 

any given time because of post-concussion symptoms,” 

Dr. Taillon explained. “So there is a lot of attention and Dr. Paul Taillon, SASM President 

development of some science, but also some useful tools 

so that we can be more sure that when [athletes] return, 

they’re safe.” 

The U of S recently received research funding that allowed 

Rhonda Shishkin, head athletic therapist for Huskie 

Athletics, to develop a computerized database that encompasses 

information from three sports teams – a men’s 

hockey team, a women’s hockey team and a football team. 

As part of the pilot project, all of the athletes participated 

in baseline testing, such as simple memory and concentration 

tests, balance testing and computerized neuropsychology 

testing to gather the data. 

In November, one of the university athletes suffered a 

concussion. Dr. Taillon says because the athlete’s prior 

test results were stored in the database, the sports medicine 

team was able to follow the athlete’s recovery more 

closely. 

“Because we have that baseline, we are able to check that 

they have recovered in terms of their balance, and also 

[check recovery through] these cognitive tests for memory 

and reaction speed,” Dr. Taillon explained. 

feature 

Overall, this research allows the health care team to be 

more sure when returning an athlete to sport, which becomes 

very important when dealing in a university setting, 

Dr. Taillon explained. 

“They are students first and athletes second, and we want 

to safeguard their brains.” 

Keeping athletes safe is a rewarding experience – it’s fun 

to watch the sport and be involved with the athletes, Dr. 

Taillon says, adding that it presents almost a reverse set 

of protocol than other types 

“So there is a lot of attention and 

development of some science, 

but also some useful tools so that 

we can be more sure that when 

[athletes] return, they’re safe.” 

of medical practice. 

“[Athletes] want to get better 

as fast as possible, so it’s 

almost the reverse of ordinary 

medicine where you’re 

pushing people to get better. 

Here, you’re actually holding 

them back so that they 

can be rehabbed and safe to 

return to the sport.” 


Name: 

Address: 

Membership Information 

The Saskatchewan Academy of Sports Medicine (SASM) offers numerous 

benefits to its members, including access to sports medical resources (ACL 

injuries, concussion assessment) and electronic journal articles. Membership 

in SASM also translates into membership with the Sport Medicine and 

Science Council of Saskatchewan. SASM members are also eligible to apply 

for compensation for sport-related CME that cannot be paid through 

the SMA’s CME fund. Student and residents are offered complimentary 

membership to SASM in addition to research grants of $1,500 for sportrelated 

research. 

To take out or renew your membership with SASM, please complete the 

form below. 

SASKATCHEWAN ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE 

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES 

City: Postal Code: 

Phone: Fax: 

Email: 

Please complete the above information and include this notice with your payment. Thank you. 

2012 Membership Dues now due: $25.00 

Please remit to: 

Cary Brunett, SASM Administrative Assistant 

P.O. Box 338 

Delisle, SK S0L 0P0

health care 

How privacy considerations drive patient decisions 

and impact patient care outcomes 

�� 

Fair Warning, Inc. (FWI), an American company, recently 

commissioned a survey on how patient privacy considerations 

impact the actual delivery of health care and to 

what degree patients believed health care executives and 

managers should be held accountable for privacy protection 

and breaches. 

The survey was meant to serve as a baseline for future 

surveys and to determine how privacy affects patient 

behaviours and influences care outcomes. FWI plans to 

commission this survey again in one year to determine if 

there have been any changes in attitudes. 

There is no doubt that we live in a society that is both 

obsessed with having information and is equally obsessed 

with privacy of personal information. Governments are 

also aware of the high value citizens place on privacy 

and this includes health records and personal health information. 

This results in a push and pull with regards 

to balancing the collection and subsequent protection of 

information and allowing for the flow of information between 

patients and their health care providers. Appropriate 

access to information and privacy are therefore two 

concepts that go hand in hand. 

Physicians, for the most part, understand that they have 

an ethical responsibility to ensure their patients’ privacy. 

This certainly isn’t a new concept – it is even spoken 

about in the Hippocratic Oath. Then there are the legal 

obligations that physicians have under the various Access 

to Information and Privacy (ATIP) laws in place in Canada. 

In Saskatchewan, the Health Information Protection Act 

(HIPA) is one of the main pieces of ATIP legislation that 

must be adhered to by physicians. 

In their survey, FWI asked more than 1000 respondents 

thirty questions that sought to understand the degree to 

which Canadian patients’ health care decisions are affected 

by privacy. The key findings were as follows: 

Trust in the confidentiality of medical records is influencing 

when, where, from whom and what kind of medical 

treatment is delivered to patients in Canada. These privacy 

concerns affect the flow of information to providers 

to use in the diagnosis and care of their patients. The results 

of the survey indicated that 43.2 per cent of patients 

would withhold information from their care providers 

based on privacy concerns. Nearly 43 per cent stated 

they would seek care outside of their community due to 

privacy concerns, with 33.7 per cent indicating that they 

would travel 50 kilometers or more in order to keep their 

sensitive information confidential. By withholding medical 

information, Canadian patients are impacting the care 

they receive. 

The article also indicates that hat 61.9 per cent 

of Canadian patients reported ed that if there 

were serious or repeated breaches reaches of patients’ 

personal information n at a hospital 

where they had treatment, ent, it would 

reduce their confidence in the quality of 

the health care offered there. ere. The survey 

summary does indicate that more research 

is needed to fully understand nderstand the 

impact of privacy breaches on health 

care outcomes, but acknowledges edges 

that when information is withheld 

or falsified, treatments nts 

are impacted. 

A major part of the survey ey 

focused on patients’ exxpectations 

that health care re 

providers and hospital exececutives aggressively protect patient 

privacy. In fact, the survey urvey 

found that more than four out of 

five Canadian patients stated ed that, 

if a health care executive knowingnowingly failed to act to reduce the he risk 

of breach and a breach occurred, curred, 

they should be fined or fired. ed. Sixty-nine 

and a half per cent stated 

that there should be a public lic listing 

hosted by the government nment 

that lists which hospitals have ave had 

breaches of patient health records. 

Aside from the hospital’s reputareputa- SMA News Digest Spring 2012 19

health care 

“What I may see or hear in the course of the treatment or even outside of the treatment in 

regard to the life of men, which on no account one must spread abroad, I will keep to myself, 

holding such things shameful to be spoken about.” 

-Hippocratic Oath 

tion, 75.4 per cent of respondents felt that a provider’s 

reputation influenced their choice to seek care from him 

or her. The study showed that Canadian patients believe 

stronger enforcement of existing privacy protection laws 

would reduce the number of privacy breaches. 

The most compelling part of the survey showed the negative 

consequences a patient experienced from being a victim 

of a breach. The most common situations noted were: 

�� victim became the subject of gossip in their social 

circle and/or workplace 

�� a sensitive medical issue was no longer private 

�� a significant amount of personal time was required to 

correct the situation 

�� private information was used against them in a lawsuit 

�� inaccurate medical information was added to their 

record. 

Patients have a lot to lose as a result of a privacy breach. 

A person’s privacy is very important and we all have the 

right to have it protected; this is enshrined in the Canadian 

Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As a physician, 

you also have a great deal to lose as a result of a privacy 

breach: Your patients’ trust, your community’s trust, your 

patients’ health outcomes and your reputation being just 

some of those things. What can you do to prevent this 

from happening? 

�� First understand the need to minimize risk 

�� Make sure staff are aware of the importance you place 

on patient privacy 

�� Develop a written privacy policy for your office and 

USE IT 

�� Talk about patient privacy with your staff at meetings 

�� Learn from the mistakes of others and take steps to 

ensure they don’t happen to you 

�� Talk openly with your patients about privacy and 

your office’s policies 

�� - 

�� 

at (306) 244-2196 or rhunt@sma.sk.ca 


Charter: 

Section 8 [2] Reasonable 

Expectation of Privacy 

In fostering the underlying values of dignity, integrity 

and autonomy, it is fitting that s. 8 of the 

Charter should seek to protect a biographical core 

of personal information which individuals in a free 

and democratic society would wish to maintain 

and control from dissemination to the state. This 

would include information which tends to reveal 

intimate details of the lifestyle and personal choices 

of the individual. The computer records investigated 

in the case at bar while revealing the pattern 

of electricity consumption in the residence cannot 

reasonably be said to reveal intimate details of 

the appellant’s life since electricity consumption 

reveals very little about the personal lifestyle or 

private decisions of the occupant of the residence: 

R. v. Plant, 1993 CanLII 70 (S.C.C.), 1993 CanLII 70 

(S.C.C.), 1993 CanLII 70 (S.C.C.), [1993] 3 S.C.R. 281; 

R. v. Tessling, 2004 SCC 67 (CanLII), 2004 SCC 67 

(CanLII), 2004 SCC 67 (CanLII), 2004 SCC 67. 

** The Fair Warning survey expects that patient attitudes 

may change as a result of media coverage related to privacy 

breaches, the addition of health care laws, the enforcement 

of privacy laws, awareness of patient rights, and the further 

adoption of electronic health records. 

SMA staff look forward to seeing the results of the next 

survey and will communicate them to its membership.

Med 1 hosts annual art show and silent auction 


First-year medical students at the University of Saskatchewan held their ninth-annual charity art 

show and silent auction on February 8. Students showcased their artistic side by creating naturethemed 

pieces with all proceeds allocated to the Child Hunger and Education Program (CHEP), a 

charity located in Saskatoon. CHEP works with children and families to promote food security and 

boost community access to nutritious food. 

Photo story by Nicole Quintal


SMA showcases Rural Relief Program at resident 

recruitment event 

�� 

The SMA showcased its Rural Relief Program at the Physician Recruitment Agency of Saskatchewan and University 

of Saskatchewan Family Medicine Recruitment Event held on January 13. 

Below is a list of some of the most common questions the SMA received about the program at the event: 

Rural Relief Program FAQ 

Q: What is the Rural Relief Program? 

A: Many rural physicians provide medical coverage with 

heavy call responsibilities to the communities they serve. 

The Rural Relief Program is intended to provide relief 

from this demanding regime for practices in rural communities 

in which there are fewer than five physicians. 

Through this program, the SMA employs physicians who 

are available to travel throughout rural Saskatchewan and 

replace the local physician on a temporary basis. 

Q: How will I benefit from participating in this program? 

A: There are many benefits to becoming a Rural Relief 

physician. It is an excellent way to maintain a variety in 

your practice. For residents, there are opportunities to repay 

student debt while trying out different clinics around 

the province. 

Q: How long are Rural Relief contracts? 

A: A Rural Relief contract can be completed in either a six 

or 12-month contract. Both offer excellent benefits, such 

as competitive pay, no overhead and flexible scheduling. 

Q: What is the average rate-of-pay for a Rural Relief physician? 

A: The 12-month contract offers those who have worked 

fewer than five years in rural Saskatchewan a daily rate of 

$1030 ($865 for each travel day), with an added weeknight 

call stipend of $130 and weekend call stipend of $1300. 

The 12-month contract also includes a signing bonus of 

$11,000 and, upon fulfilling the contract obligations, an 

end bonus of $10,000. A 12-month contract is fulfilled 


with the completion of just 200 working days; this includes 

travel days. 

Q: How flexible will my schedule be under the Rural Relief 

Program? 

A: Schedules are developed well in advance, and virtually 

all requests for time off are granted. During the average 

month, a locum will work 21 days, including travel days. 

Q: Where can I live while working as a Rural Relief physician? 

A: You can live anywhere you want, 

whether it be Saskatoon or Arcola, and we 

will pay mileage. Mileage is paid at $0.52/ 

km for the first 5,000 km and $0.46/km 

thereafter. 

Q: Which communities can access the Rural 

Relief Program? 

A: Any community with fewer than five practising 

physicians can access the Rural Relief 

Program. 

Q: Where do I stay when working in a rural community? 

A: Accommodations are arranged by the host 

physician in each community and must have 

phone, internet and a kitchenette. 

Q: How long do I have to stay in each community? 

A: Rural Relief physicians provide relief from the demanding 

schedules of permanent rural physicians for periods 

of four to 14 days.

Rochelle Plemel, the SMA’s Physician Relief Program Administrator, 

speaks to residents about the Rural Relief Program. 


Q: I am an SMA bursary recipient. Can I fulfill my rural 

Saskatchewan return-in-service through the Rural Relief 

Program? 

A: You can fulfill your return-in-service to the province of 

Saskatchewan in half the time. 

Q: Where can I find more information about the program 

or sign up to become a Rural Relief physician? 

A: For more information about the program or to become 

a Rural Relief physician please contact: 

Rochelle Plemel 

Physician Relief Program Administrator 

(306) 244-2196 or rochelle@sma.sk.ca 

Or visit the SMA website at www.sma.sk.ca. 

Health region display booths at the PRAS/University of Saskatchewan 

Family Resident Recruitment Event on January 13 in Saskatoon. 


U of S medical students gear up for Wellness Week 

�� 

It’s no secret that health care professionals 

don’t often have a lot 

of spare time. Trying to balance 

busy schedules, long working hours, 

family and social commitments can 

be challenging – and trying to fit 

physical activity and healthy meal 

planning into the mix can seem next 

to impossible. 

However, leading a healthier lifestyle 

doesn’t always require ample 

amounts of spare time. This is one of 

the key themes for the 2012 Student 

Medical Society of Saskatchewan 

(SMSS) Wellness Week event that is 

being held from April 16 to 20 at the 

University of Saskatchewan Health 

Sciences Building. 

Year-2 medical students Melissa An- 


dersen, 25, and Kristine Pederson, 23, 

who are involved with the planning of 

this year’s Wellness Week, sat down 

with the SMA to discuss the unique 

initiative that will offer event-goers 

information, tips and activities that 

can be incorporated into everyday 

life to decrease stress and improve 

overall health and wellness. 

“We’re really trying to give information 

that can help you fit wellness in 

everyday, even if you only have 10 or 

20 minutes,” Melissa said. 

From nutrition to yoga, body-scanning 

sessions and calisthenics, Wellness 

Week offers sessions geared 

toward time-strapped medical students, 

residents, physicians, staff and 

faculty. 

Student Affairs Representative Kristine Pederson (left), and Melissa Andersen 

are helping to plan the 2012 Wellness Week event at the U of S. 

For instance, a session on nutrition is 

being held to address how health care 

professionals normally eat and the 

challenges associated with eating onthe-go. 

Solutions for finding healthy, 

quick meals, as well as what professionals 

should opt for when faced 

with the hospital cafeteria will be presented. 

Attendees will also be treated 

to an international lunch courtesy of 

the college’s Global Health Committee 

and Physician Wellness Initiative 

(PWI) group. 

The PWI’s stress committee is also 

putting on a yoga night that will consist 

of simple stretching, relaxation 

and meditation-style techniques to 

combat stress. 

“I think the yoga night really speaks

to the high-stress environment that a lot of us live in and 

work in, and I think it will be a great way for people to 

unwind,” Kristine explained, adding that the techniques 

event-goers learn at this session can also be adapted for 

use on-the-go. 

Attendees will discover more time-saving techniques 

during two five-minute body-scan sessions, along with a 

how-to calisthenics session – which is basically weighttraining 

with your own body. 

“A lot of residents and physicians cians have talked about 

how it’s really hard when you’re ’re on call or working working 

really long hours to be able to fit in time to 

go to the gym or even to use your our home 

gym,” Melissa said. “So this is an n idea 

for something that people can n do 

on their own, in a room with no 

equipment with just five minutes tes 

of time.” 

The students are also planning to take a page from the 

SMA’s physician wellness book by holding a Walk-the-Doc 

session mid-week – an activity they learned while attending 

the SMA’s Walk-the-Doc presentation at the Canadian 

Conference on Physician Health last fall in Toronto. The 

Walk-the-Doc session consists of a 20- to 30-minute walk 

along the river to get attendees out and moving. 

To wrap up the week, the PWI’s community committee 

will host a movie night at the SaskTel Theatre, in addition 

to a crockpot potluck complete with healthy menu items. 

Wellness Week growing in popularity 

Wellness Week is an annual SMSS event that both Melissa 

and Kristine say has grown considerably over the past 

three years because of an increase in overall interest and 

an expanding volunteer base. 

“We’re really trying to 

give information that can 

help you fit wellness in 

everyday, even if you only 

have 10 or 20 minutes.” 


The event is important because it creates awareness regarding 

the environment physicians work in and what 

it can do to you if you neglect your health and wellness 

needs. 

“It’s a good reminder to pay attention to what you’re doing 

to your body and to take care of yourself,” Kristine 

said. 

“But it also reminds people about how you really can 

fit these good g things g into your day even with time con- 

straints and sleep deprivation depr and what-not,” Melissa 

added. 

The students stu are encouraging more 

staff and a faculty to join in on this 

year’s year sessions so that students can 

gain gai insight into how more experienced 

en professionals balance work 

and an wellness. 

With final exams looming in 

“If “I people that we’re work- 

April and May, stress is also on 

ing in with and learning from, if 

the minds of many university stutu- they th are leading healthier lives 

dents. Second-year students are 

it’s more conducive to us to lead 

planning a traditional mock OSCE 

exam for the first-year students s during 

Wellness Week. The activity ivity is 

-Melissa Andersen 

healthier heal lives. We’re learning by 

example,” examp Kristine said. 

designed to help the new students udents get 

This year’s event invitation is also being 

through some of the stress associated sociated with 

extended to health science students from 

not knowing what to expect when h writing iti this thi ma- 

other th colleges ll – something that hasn’t been done 

jor exam. 

at past Wellness Week events – to include pharmacists, 

nutritionists, dentists, physical therapy and nursing students. 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 



* 

PHYSICIAN MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE 


SMA PMI course roster 

for 2012 


The Physician Management Institute (PMI) is the Canadian 

Medical Association’s leadership development program 

designed specifically for physicians working in Canada’s 

health care system. With targeted funding, the SMA 

has brought the PMI series in-house. 

The following six PMI courses will be offered in 2012 in 

Saskatoon – mark your calendars! 

Disruptive Behavior (Foundation Level) 

March 23-25, 2012 

Mary Yates/ Paul Farnan 

Strategic Influence (Advanced Level) 

April 27-29, 2012 

Peter Kuling / Janice Stein / Carole Lavigne 

Talent Management (Advanced Level) 

June 1-3, 2012 

Paul Mohapel / Gillian Kernaghan 

Leading Change and Innovation (Foundation Level) 

September 21-22, 2012 

Brian Golden / Susan Leiff 

Self Awareness (Foundation Level) 

October 26-28, 2012 

Monica Olsen / Jamie Campbell / Mamta Gautam 

When you enrol in a PMI course, you can be confident 

that: 

�� course content and examples will be practical and relevant 

to health care and medical practice in Canada 

�� instructors are subject-matter and education experts 

with an intimate knowledge of Canada’s health care 

environment 

�� learning approaches incorporate multiple perspectives, 

include real-life, real-time activities and promote 

rich problem-solving among peers 

�� classmates are medical and health care professionals 

with interests and needs similar to your own. 

�� 

�� 

��

Upcoming courses, conferences, and events 

march 

2-3 Ninth Annual Peter and Anna Zbeetnoff Memorial 

Drug Therapy Decision Making Conference* 

Travelodge Hotel, Saskatoon 

To register, visit www.usask.ca/cme/courses/registration.php 

14-17 Canadian Medical Bonspiel 

Granite Curling Club, Winnipeg 

Contact Greg Hammond by email: 

canadianmedicalbonspiel@shaw.ca 

23-24 CCFP Exam SOO Preparation Workshop 

West Winds Primary Health Centre, Saskatoon 

Fees $850 

http://web.mac.com/malees/soo/Home.html 

For more information, contact soo.course@usask.ca 

23-25 PMI: Disruptive Behaviour (Foundation Level) 

SMA In-house PMI Program 

Sheraton Cavalier Hotel, Saskatoon 

* 

www.sma.sk.ca 

To register, phone: (306) 244-2196 

29-30 Trauma Repair: Kids in Crisis 

Regina and Saskatoon 

For more information, call (306) 751-2730 

29 Taming of the Queue Conference 2012 

Chateau Laurier Hotel, Ottawa 

For more information, contact brenda.trepanier@cma.ca 

april 

11-14 Canadian Conference on Physician Leadership 

The Westin, Ottawa 

To register, visit http://www.2012leadership.ca/ 

14 MCCQE Part II Clinical Exam Prep Course* 

Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon 

17-18 Health Care Quality Summit 2012 

www.qualitysummit.ca 

TCU Place, Saskatoon 

17-18 Health Care Quality Summit 2012 

www.qualitysummit.ca 

TCU Place, Saskatoon 


19 Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – Instructor 

Course* 

Saskatoon 

20 Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – Instructor 

Update* 

Saskatoon 

21 Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – Provider 

Course* 

Saskatoon 

21 Royal University Hospital Cardiology 

Update 2012 

Hilton Garden Inn, Saskatoon 

To register, visit http://conferences. 

usask.ca/cardiology 

27-29 PMI: Strategic Influence (Advanced Level) 


Hilton Garden Inn, Saskatoon 

* 

www.sma.sk.ca 


may 

4-5 SMA Representative Assembly – Spring 2012 

Regina 

For more information, call (306) 244-2196 

www.sma.sk.ca 

26 Respirology State of the Art Conference 

Travelodge Hotel and Conference Centre, Regina 

For registration information, contact Stella at (306) 667-3010 

june 

1-3 PMI: Talent Management (Advanced Level) 


Saskatoon Inn, Saskatoon 

* 

www.sma.sk.ca 


* CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING 

To �� 

�� 

�� 


classifieds 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Information regarding prescription drug shortages - Physicians worried about shortages of prescription drugs can now 

track these developments online. Following action by a working group that includes groups representing health professionals, 

such as the CMA and Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and pharmaceutical companies, the Canadian Generic 

Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) and Canada’s Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D), have agreed to collect 

information on “direct shortages” and “interruptions of supply” from member companies. That data is being posted on the 

Saskatchewan Drug Information Service: http://www.druginfo.usask.ca/healthcare_professional/canadian_drug_shortages.php. 

The information will not deal with supply problems involving companies that do not belong to Rx&D or the CGPA, or provide 

information on therapeutic alternatives to drugs in short supply. As well it will not allow physicians to report shortages. 

Work to develop a more robust system that will contain these features is underway. 

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact Jill Skinner, Associate Director, CMA Public Health 

Group at jill.skinner@cma.ca. 

PHYSICIAN OPPORTUNITIES 

Family Physician – MedWest Medical Clinic - Saskatoon. 

Busy, well established family medicine and walk-in medical 

clinic in Saskatoon. Excellent opportunity to start a practice 

or work part time. Fantastic patient base in vibrant and 

booming Hampton Village community. Competitive over- 

�� 

email Dr Marc Viger at dr.viger@live.ca to discuss this exciting 

family medicine opportunity. 


Riverbend Medical Clinic in Regina, SK. New and established 

physicians welcome. We are looking to add a full-time family 

physician to our existing solo family practice. Excellent, state-ofthe-art 

premises. Electronic medical records. Potential for partnership. 

Enjoy excellent lifestyle with an excellent practice on 

the east side of Regina. Please contact Dr. Maxim Kondrashov at 

(306) 347-2500 ext. 2 or e-mail: svema17@hotmail.com

Willowgrove Medical Group is looking for an ambitious 

family physician to join their busy practice. We are a fully 

��ry 

care, occupational medicine and a wide range of specialty 

services including circumcisions, vasectomies and dermatologic 

laser treatment. We are the company physicians for a 

number of mining companies in Saskatchewan. We have a 

large and growing patient base with walk-in clientele daily 

�� 

evenings. Weekend and weekday call is shared equally with 

�� 

�� worked 

computer for EMR use. Competitive expense split. 

�� 

at (306) 242-0353 to set up a time to meet and discuss the op- 

�� 

Dr. M. Singh is looking for full-time or locum family physicians 

to practise at the Taylor Street Medical Clinic in Saskatoon 

and GAMA Family Medicine/Minor Emergency Medical 

Centre in Warman. For more information about these opportunities, 

please call the Taylor Street Medical Clinic at (306) 374- 

8082 or Dr. Singh at (306) 220-1841. 

A day in the country. The Town of Raymore is welcoming applications 

for a Family Physician. We are ideally located at the 

junction of highways #6 and #15, only 112 kilometres north 

of Regina (apx. 1 hour). The Raymore Health Centre requires 

a Family Physician one or two days a week, whatever would 

��rent 

practice covers a 30-mile radius, which includes two First 

�� 

for the day. For more information, please contact the Town 

of Raymore by calling (306) 746-2100 or email raymoretown@ 

aski.ca and look us up on the web at www.raymore.ca. 

Established practice available in Lloydminster, SK. Well 

established practice available for take-over. Planning to retire 

�� 

physicians. Ideal for a couple that is already licensed to practise 

in Saskatchewan. Obstetrics would be a great asset. For 

further information, contact Dr. Isaac Thomas. Phone: (306) 

825-6345. Fax: (306) 825-6340. Email: medi.it@sasktel.net. 

classifieds 

REGINA DOCTOR 

WANTED 

Doctor looking for full-time 

physician to join her busy 

family practice. 

Dr. D. Kothare 

3013 - 5th Ave. 

Regina, SK 

Fifth Avenue Medical Clinic is located in a 

residential area with a high-patient volume. 

The clinic was completely renovated 

recently and is situated next to a pharmacy. 

This is a fee-for-service opportunity offering 

a 70/30 split. Additional starting incentives 

are available such as guaranteed monthly 

income. 

Hospital privileges preferred. 

Open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Walk-ins welcome. 

Contact: Dr. D. Kothare 

(306) 757-2664 (office) 

(306) 537-8469 (cell) 


Mobile 

RADIOLOGIST 

�� 

�� 

�� Already connected to the province-wide PACS 

�� 

� �� 

�� 

� �� 

� �� 

�� 

�� 

Dr. James H. Watt* 

�� 

�� 

*Diagnostic Radiology Fellowship Specialists Certificate, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada, 

American Board of Radiology Certificate

Physicians Wanted 

Estevan, Saskatchewan – the Energy and Sunshine Capital – is seeking physicians. Our resource rich 

community is growing at a rapid pace and we are in need of quality physicians to commence practising 

immediately. Estevan is a great place to live and raise a family with quality recreational and cultural 

facilities, and an abundance of outdoor activities including parks, camping, lakes and much more. 

We are in immediate need of the following: 

GPs, GP/ANAESTHETIST 

We offer an Excellent Incentive Package and can’t wait to welcome you to our community. 

In addition, our community can offer you: 

- Group Practice or Stand Alone Clinics 

- Fully Modern Offices 

- High patient / physician ratio 

- New Computerized EMR System 

- Commence Practising Immediately 

If you believe an opportunity 

in Estevan may be of interest 

to you, we would be thrilled to 

hear from you. 

Contact Greg Hoffort: 

(306) 637-2402 or 

(306) 421-3317 

greg.hoffort@schr.sk.ca 

Box 5000 – 203 

1176 Nicholson Road 

Estevan, SK S4A 2V6

obituaries 

OBITUARIES 

Dr. Helen Flegel died peacefully in St. Paul’s Hospital the 

morning of January 16, 2012 at the age of 86. Born in Naperville, 

Illinois in 1925, Dr. Flegel spent most of her working life 

in Saskatoon as a family physician, delivering babies, caring 

for families and tending to the ill. Dr. Flegel was recognized 

�� 

service to this community. But, her true recognition came 

�� 

Hospital, the very institution in which she had worked for so 

many years. 

Dr. Flegel had a zest for life and a spirit for adventure. She 

traveled the world with her brother Bill Flegel and her sister 

�� 

�� 

�� 

She is predeceased by her mother Amelia Flegel, her father 

Kasper Flegel and her brothers Bill and Al Flegel. She will be 

greatly missed by her loving sister Mary Schnurr, her brother-in-law 

Cecil Schnurr, her sister-in-law Verna Flegel, sister 

Anne, eleven nieces and nephews, neighbours, patients, colleagues 

and her cat Keisha. 

Dr. Douglas Fraser McAlpine passed away peacefully at his 

family home with his family at his side following a courageous 

battle with cancer. Dr. McAlpine was born on November 

10, 1919 in Glasgow, Scotland. After completing his early 

education, he went on to Glasgow University to obtain his 

medical degree in 1942. From 1942 to 1947, he served with 

the Royal Army Medical Corp achieving the rank of lieutenant 

colonel prior to his discharge. During most of his service 

with the Medical Corp, he was based in Burma. He served as 

chief of anaesthesia at the No.1 Command General Hospital 

in Rangoon and as an advisor in anaesthesia to the Burma 

Command. 

Following the war, he completed his postgraduate training 

��exandria 

Military Hospital and the Royal Cancer Hospital in 

London. He obtained his diploma in anaesthesia in 1947, and 

his MFARCA in 1948. 

During his time in the war and playing semipro hockey in 

Scotland, he met many Canadians and heard stories about 

Canada and was intrigued. In 1952, Dr. McAlpine moved to 

Regina with his family, where he practised anaesthesia and 

was a driving force in the delivery of health care in the prov- 

�� 

in Anaesthesia in the United Kingdom, Canada and the U.S. 


Dr. McAlpine was instrumental in the vision and develop- 

�� 

and Pulmonary Function units in Regina, where he was 

medical director from 1966 through 1991. Douglas served as 

a clinical instructor, associate professor and assistant clinical 

professor of anaesthesia with the College of Medicine, University 

of Saskatchewan. At the Pasqua Hospital, he served 

as chief of anaesthesia and on numerous hospital committees, 

including the Medical Advisory Committee. He is a past 

president of the Canadian Anaesthetist’s Society and has 

served as a member of council for the Royal College of Physicians 

and Surgeons of Canada. He served his colleagues as a 

long term chairman of the Section of Anaesthesia and as a 

representative to the SMA’s Economics Committee. He also 

��ine 

holds honourary life memberships in both the Saskatchewan 

Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association. 

Dr. McAlpine will always be remembered for his many jokes 

and stories as he drew from his vast wealth of life experiences; 

from stories of his time in Burma to fast cars, competitive 

sports or his dogs, he was always ready with his quick wit to 

chat and have a good laugh. His life-enriching stories were 

punctuated by his charming sense of humour which will be 

greatly missed.

Medical Advisor 

Prevention Program for Cervical Cancer 

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency requires a Medical Advisor for the Prevention Program for Cervical 

Cancer. This position is a contracted medical position to support ongoing work within the Early Detection 

Department of the Population Health Division. The Agency is seeking a family physician with public health 

experience and an interest in population-based cancer screening in Saskatchewan. The Medical Advisor 

will provide advice and expertise on the development plan for the Pap Test Clinic Network initiatives that 

establishes partnerships with care providers to increase awareness and enhanced access to Pap test 

services for Saskatchewan women. This position will also provide a key link between the Agency and 

provincial physicians, including nurse practitioners. 

Successful applicant must be eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of 

Saskatchewan. Some limited travel may be required. The time commitment will be about 15-18 hours per 

month for a two year term with the option to renew. 

Letters of interest or requests for further information can be forwarded to: 

Dr. Jon Tonita or Yvonne Taylor 

Vice President Provincial Leader 

Population Health Division Early Detection 

Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Saskatchewan Cancer Agency 

400-2631 28 th Avenue 400-2631 28 th Avenue 

Regina, SK S4S 6X3 Regina, SK S4S 6X3 

Phone: (306) 359-5603 Phone: (306) 359-5887 

Fax : (306) 359-5604 Fax : (306) 359-5604 

Email: jon.tonita@saskcancer.ca Email: Yvonne.taylor@saskcancer.ca 


classifieds 

Downtown Medical Office 

FOR LEASE 


140 WALL STREET, SASKATOON 

•1,996 SF in prime downtown Wall Street Medical 

Building (move-in ready) 

•Suite 240 includes four (4) exam rooms, five (5) 

offices, lunchroom and washroom 

•Five (5) on-site secure parking stalls available 

•Net Lease Rate $17.00/SF MLS ® 

collierscanada.com/457 

Ken Suchan * 

CELL 306 221 1825 

DIR 306 664 1215 

ken.suchan@colliers.com 

Kevin Johnson 

CELL 306 281 9929 

DIR 306 664 1245 

kevin.johnson@colliers.com 

* Ken Suchan (Ken Suchan Realty Inc.) has a contractual relationship with 

Colliers McClocklin Real Estate Corp. 

Colliers McClocklin Real Estate Corp. | +1 306 664 4433 | www.colliers.com/saskatoon 

Are you looking for a change of career? 

Interested in epidemiology, program development & evaluation, health policy, environmental 

health, changing the world? 

�� 

The University of Saskatchewan’s new Royal College program in Public Health and Preventive Medicine will have a reentry 

position starting July 2012, based in Saskatoon. 

The program involves academic course work at the U of S and rotations which take advantage of Saskatchewan’s strong 

public health system to provide learning opportunities in public health settings in urban, rural and northern settings as 

well as in the ministry. Electives are available in other provinces and countries. 

Further details are available at www.medicine.usask.ca/che/residency-program/index.html 

We value people with experience. This position is appropriate for family physicians or other specialists already in 

practice looking for a career change, or potentially for international medical graduates looking for careers in the public 

health system in Canada. It is not appropriate for IMGs wishing to obtain certification as family physicians. 

Interviews will be in March. 

For more information contact: ross.findlater@usask.ca

# 

NUMBER ONE IN ASSET GROWTH 1 

It may be because we received 5 out of 5 from a top consumer 

research group2 . Or because we’re leaders in putting our clients’ 

interest s ahead of our own 2 . We believe it’s because more 

physicians benefit from our best-in-class investment expertise to 

seize timely opportunities, pay lower fees and taxes, and achieve 

greater financia l security. 

Financial Practice Living 

Get better advice. Contact an MD advisor. 1 877 877-3707 

MD is exclusive to Canadian Medical Association members. 

Not a member? Call 1 888 855-2555 

Physicians First TM 

md.cma.ca 

1 The Summer 2011 Fee-based Report published by Investor Economics indicated that, among the ten largest private investment counsel firms in Canada, MD Private 

Investment Counsel was the leader in terms of relative and absolute growth for the year ended June 2011. 

2 For more details go to md.cma.ca/news1 

Investment Counselling services provided by MD Physician Services Inc., a CMA company. MD Physician Services provides financial products and services, the 

MD family of mutual funds, investment counselling services and practice management products and services through the MD group of companies. For a detailed 

list of these companies, visit md.cma.ca.

The Opportunity: 

20120206_CPL_SMA-ND 

Family Physician 

Faculty, Full-Time 

Department of Academic Family Medicine & College of Medicine 

Director, Continuing Professional Learning 

An exciting opportunity exists for a certified Family Medicine 

practitioner to become a faculty member in the Department of 

Academic Family Medicine to practice medicine at the West 

Winds Primary Health Centre and fill the role of Director, 

Continuing Professional Learning with the College of 

Medicine in Saskatoon, SK. This full-time faculty position 

involves patient care, teaching, resident and learner supervision, 

faculty development, research and a leadership role in continuing 

medical education (CME) and continuing professional learning 

(CPL) locally and nationally. 

The Department: 

The Department of Academic Family Medicine has 30 full-time 

faculty, approximately 300 community faculty and 99 Residents 

(Family Medicine – 86, Emergency Medicine – 8, Enhanced 

Skills – 5) and consists of seven divisions including Saskatoon 

Urban, Regina Urban, Rural (Prince Albert & Swift Current), 

Emergency Medicine (Saskatoon & Regina), Enhanced Skills, 

Research and Northern Medical Services. 

The Department is an integral participant in all stages of medical 

education and plays a key role in establishing more generalist 

content and comprehensive family medicine in the MD education 

curriculum. 

The Division of Continuing Professional Learning assists 

physicians in their efforts to provide the best quality of patient 

care through effective continuing medical education programs. 

Through its web site and associated distance education initiatives 

the Division provides access to relevant learning materials to 

meet the physician’s needs in their own work environment 

through effective and enjoyable continuing education 

opportunities and maintenance of certification opportunities. 

The University & the College of Medicine: 

A publicly funded institution established in 1907, the University 

of Saskatchewan offers a full range of curricula, both academic 

and professional, with students registered in 13 colleges, 

including the health sciences (medicine, nursing, dentistry, 

physiotherapy, pharmacy & nutrition and kinesiology) and 

veterinary sciences. 

The College of Medicine utilizes a distributed education model 

with approximately 275 university based faculty and over 800 

community faculty distributed throughout all 13 Saskatchewan 

Health Regions. The College of Medicine is expanding and has a 

current enrolment of approximately 375 undergraduate medical 

students and 400 postgraduate medical residents. 

Saskatoon Health Region: 

The Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) serves more than 300,000 

residents in over 100 communities with approximately 12,000 

staff and over 850 physicians. In addition to providing a 

complete range of health services to residents of central and 

northern Saskatchewan, the SHR, with its three acute care 

hospitals – St. Paul’s, City, and Royal University – provides 

tertiary care and much of the associated teaching for the province. 

The new Children’s Hospital will be located at the Royal 

University Hospital site. 

The City of Saskatoon: 

Saskatoon Shines – with more hours of sunshine than any other 

major Canadian city. With a population of approximately 

230,000, Saskatoon is the largest city in Saskatchewan, boasting 

small town spirit and big city amenities. World class events, 

festivals and attractions, a strong arts and music focus; short drive 

to northern lake country; variety of indoor and outdoor sporting 

facilities. The city is noted for its outstanding walking and biking 

trails along the riverbank and excellent education facilities, 

including the University of Saskatchewan. What's more – 

everything is within 20-30 minutes of home. 

The Candidate: 

The successful physician must be certified with the College of 

Family Physicians of Canada, fully licensed to practice Family 

Medicine in the Province of Saskatchewan and possess full 

credentialing with the Saskatoon Health Region. The ideal 

candidate must have excellent communication, organizational and 

team development skills and experience in faculty development, 

CME and CPL. Experience in fostering academic activities 

pertaining to faculty development, CME and CPL will be definite 

assets. We are particularly interested in hearing from physicians 

who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise along with 

the necessary experience, qualifications and interest in medical 

education, peer teaching and evaluation, continuous professional 

development and faculty development as well as teaching Family 

Medicine Residents and undergraduate medical students in a 

clinical environment. 

To Apply: 

Interested family physicians are invited to submit a current 

curriculum vitae and three letters of reference as soon as possible. 

For further information regarding this position, qualified 

physicians are encouraged to contact either: 

Dr. Alanna Danilkewich, Department Head, 

Department of Academic Family Medicine 

College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan 

Phone: (306) 655-4235 E-mail: alanna.danilkewich@usask.ca 

Website: http://www.medicine.usask.ca/family 

Dr. William Albritton, Dean 

College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan 

Phone: (306) 966-6149 E-mail: william.albritton@usask.ca 

Website: http://www.medicine.usask.ca 

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to employment equity. Members of 

designated groups (women, aboriginal people, people with disabilities and 

members of visible minorities) are encouraged to self-identify on their application. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and 

permanent residents will be given priority.

� 

Helping Saskatchewan Physicians 

�� 

with the Saskatchewan EMR Program 

�� 

Access to clinical data is one of many 

�� 

�� 

�� 

among providers 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

��(306) 292-9728 

�� 

�� 

� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� GPs/ �� Specialists 

� 

�� 

1-866-454-4681

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 

Saskatchewan Medical Association 

402-321A 21st Street East 

Saskatoon, SK Canada 

S7K 0C1 

Mail to: 

40007031

Get ready for Clinical Practice Redesign - Saskatchewan Medical ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?