Re: “B.C. doctors in no hurry to hang up the stethoscope,” July 11.
I would like to add some points to quotes from Dr. Heidi Oetter, registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C., about older physicians who are still working and why they do this.
I am a recently retired specialist and will be 70 this year. I have been in practice for 40 years in Duncan, and have watched the practice grow into a multi-physician practice. Three out of four remaining physicians in the practice are in my age range and are facing a dilemma.
In order to provide the proper level of care, another physician is needed. Island Health is the gatekeeper for hospital privileges. It has too much influence and seems oblivious to the plight of older physicians who want to slow down or retire.
More important, the anxiety of the patient hoping for some continuity in their care, and not sure if this is going to happen, doesn’t seem to be part of Island Health’s decision process.
Younger, well-trained physicians are available but are blocked from coming into a practice, as hospital privileges are necessary to use their expertise and skills.
This is wrong and must change. Older physicians deserve to be able to leave their practice, knowing it is in good hands. Younger physicians deserve to be able to use their skills.
Governments crow about how great medical care is in Canada. It is a good system, but it bothers me that Island Health and its equivalent in other provinces are being used to ration care. I’m sure their hope is that the public won’t notice.
Dr. D.L. Wakelin
Duncan
