Each year, the head of the Saskatchewan Medical Association likes to tour the province and meet with doctors to discuss what concerns they have and how best to address them,
With COVID-19 still being prevalent, Dr. Barb Konstantynowicz can’t do those visits face-to-face, but she is holding virtual meetings with six of eleven having been completed.
Konstantynowicz, who is a family physician from Regina, has recently met with Regina and area doctors to hear what they are thinking and while a majority of concerns as expected are related to COVID-19, the president says there are a lot of paperwork issues being brought forth. She says they may not be glamorous, but they are issues that are important.
“Work doesn’t stop, so besides COVID, there are areas of concern where we must continue. It’s hard and plodding work to get through bylaws. ” Konstantynowicz said. “We continue to work with the Saskatchewan Health Authority on bylaws and rules to guide and inform how this new organization works with physicians and how we work with the organization.”
Konstantynowicz says virtual care is also a concern as many are wondering how they can navigate this new world on behalf of their patients and with their patients because of a COVID-19. She thinks that is working well, but in-person appointments are needed as well.
Konstantynowicz says the concerns that aren’t COVID-19 related are ones that can’t be swept under the carpet during this time because they are important.
“We are still doing other things like tests and assessments and we are working as hard as we can to address the concerns that people have. We know COVID-19 is taking up a lot of time, but they are doing what they can and that she is proud of not only Saskatchewan’s doctors, but Saskatchewan people for adhering to the protocols set forth to keep everyone safe. She says the SMA recognizes the challenges out there are not easy for families and individuals and that doctors are trying to do what they can to keep everyone as healthy as can be.