Essential Services - Considerations for Community and Family Physicians
Memo
DATE: 3/20/2020
TO: Family Physicians
FROM: Dr. Katherine Lawrence, Provincial Head Family Medicine
RE: Essential Services – Considerations for Community and Family Physicians
While there is no absolute definition on what constitutes essential services, we are recommending that all physicians use their professional judgment and experience when considering what essential services mean for their patients. A reasonable approach is to consider whether the treatment or patient assessment can wait for a period of time, possibly up to a few months, without causing harm to the patient. If so, the service would not be considered essential.
Important considerations
On a daily basis, review all scheduled in-person visits and pre-screen patients so you are only seeing individuals who require an in-person assessment or treatment.Convert as many patient visits to virtual care (telephone or video) as possible.
Stay connected to patients through virtual care, so they can get the care and prescription refills they need. If unsure about which services to continue providing, refer to the CMA's Policy on Physician Responsibility During a Pandemic and CPSS policy with respect to your responsibility to provide ongoing care to patients.
Detailed information on virtual care, PPE, physician responsibility during a pandemic and more can be found here.
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