As skin patients sit and wait… - Canadian Dermatology Association

September 2013
As skin patients sit and wait…
Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA)
Special Guest Editorial
Your waiting rooms in Canada are full… full of skin patients waiting to see dermatologists. They are
the lucky ones. They are actually in the door! But what about all the other patients waiting for their
turn? Our research shows there are thousands waiting to see a dermatologist, some for up to 2
years.
What patients may not be saying to you
When patients call us, they tell us things they might not always tell you. When they finally get in the
door to see a dermatologist they are so grateful that some may minimize the impact of their
condition on their lives – they don’t want to be that patient that is a burden. They want you to want
to see them again and to take on their treatment.
So some won’t want to complain that while they were waiting to see you, they missed work, or
avoided social events or lost many nights’ sleep. Fundamentally they know the dermatologists
aren’t to blame. Most dermatologists are working very long hours and seeing many patients every
day. The short supply affects patients and dermatologists alike and true systemic change is required
to relieve the pressure.
How can we speed things up in the meantime?
When your patients express concern or frustration about wait times, please direct them to the
CSPA at [email protected] . The more skin patients who are willing to help us with advocacy by
presenting the patient perspective, the more likely we are to help bring in more residency positions,
or better billing codes rates that better support the work done by dermatologists on tougher
cases.
Also, Skin Deep, the CSPA’s report card found that countries where dermatologists made greater
use of dermatology nurses – for more routine procedures reported much shorter wait lists and
high rates of patient satisfaction. Many of you already use nurses under supervision to do more
routine education of patients and more routine procedures under supervision. As patients we are
highly supportive of this practice.
Not all dermatologists see all patients – a little known reality
Some patients who call us are frustrated because after months of waiting, have been told by the
dermatologist that their case is too severe, or too complex, or simply that they don’t handle
patients with their disease. While most understand the importance of specialties within
dermatology, it is very difficult to start back at the beginning of a wait list cycle. It would be helpful
if the referring physicians were better equipped to align patient needs to practice preferences.
Cosmetic consultation wait lists?
Unlike other specialties, dermatologists are also known for their work in cosmetic dermatology
procedures. Some patients who contact us let us know that they can get a cosmetic consultation
with a dermatologist within a few days or weeks, whereas the appointment to address their skin
disease with the same doctor in the same clinic can take months or in some provinces, years.
Again, it’s a reality, but one that some patients struggling with a debilitating skin condition grapple
with.
The part you already know
Untreated and undiagnosed dermatology patients do not make the most productive employees.
Some suffer from severe acne, rashes, blisters, hair loss, wounds and oozing skin. Facing their work
colleagues can seem like a mission impossible. Some lose their employment due to their skin
condition since it interferes with the quality of work they can offer their employers. Consequently,
some may also lose their health benefits making the battle that much more complex and
discouraging once treatment options are being considered. It’s a vicious catch twenty-two.
All dermatologists know too well that some skin conditions predispose patients to co-morbities
and health issues. Depression, shame and anxiety about the unknown exacerbate health issues
further. Given that the psycho-social issues associated with skin diseases can sometimes be quite
profound, this wait times issue needs attention. As patients we are willing to lend out support to
any initiatives that would address the underlying systemic issues that are causal. We need to be able
to see dermatologists in order to be well.
Editorial Board/
Conseil de rédaction
Regional Editors /
Rédacteurs régionaux
National Editor/
Rédacteur en chef
Benjamin Barankin, MD
Toronto, ON
Charles W. Lynde, MD
Markham, ON
Marc Boucier, MD
Moncton, NB
Executive Director /
Directeure générale
Peter R. Hull, MD
Saskatoon, SK
Chantal Courchesne
Ottawa, ON
Statements and opinions expressed in the CDAeB
reflect the opinions of the authors and not necessarily
the CDA. The CDA does not assume responsibility or
liability for damages arising from errors or omissions,
or from the use of information or advice contained in
the CDAeB articles or letters.
Les textes et les opinions publiés dans le eBACD
reflètent les points de vue de leurs auteurs et non pas
nécessairement ceux de l’ACD. L’ACD ne peut être
tenue responsable des dommages qui pourraient résulter d’erreurs ou d’omissions rélées à l’utilisation de
renseignements ou de conseils inclus dans les articles
ou lettres apparaissant dans le eBACD.
Robert Jackson, MD
Ottawa, ON
Ian Landells, MD
St. John’s, NL
Catherine McCuaig, MD
Montréal, QC
Kathleen Moses, MD
Ottawa, ON
Paul Kuzel, MD
Edmonton, AB
G. Daniel Schachter, MD
Toronto, MD
Victoria Taraska, MD
Winnipeg, MB
Catherine Zip, MD
Calgary, AB
The Canadian Dermatology Association eBulletin is issued
monthly as a forum for Association News, information of
interest to members and for members’ opinions. Please notify
the Executive Director of any change in address.
L’Association canadienne de dermatologie publie chaque mois
le eBulletin en tant que forum de nouvelles de l’Association,
d’informations qui pourraient intéresser nos membres, ainsi
que pour recueillir leurs opinions. Prière d’aviser la Directeure
générale pour tout changement d’adresse.
CHANTAL COURCHESNE
EXECUITVE DIRECTOR / DIRECTEURE GÉNÉRALE
425-1385 rue, Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K1H 8N4
Tel: (613) 738-1748 / 1-800-267-3376 | Fax: (613) 738-4695
[email protected]