The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Manitoba has launched a first-in-Canada online tool that helps physicians quickly find the right medical specialists for their patients, saving time both for doctors and patients. Doctors will be able to quickly search the new Catalogue of Specialized Services (CSS) by areas of clinical expertise to create a short list of doctors providing specialized services such as orthopedics, psychiatric services or internal medicine. The tool will help physicians ensure they are connecting their patients with the most appropriate specialist to best meet their patientÕs needs and reduce misdirected referrals. The catalogue will list all specialists in the province. It lists the doctorÕs location and the medical services provided and is designed to direct patient referrals to the right clinician the first time. ÒThis is a great tool for family physicians and their patients,Ó said Dr. Fran Berard, president of the Manitoba College of Family Physicians. ÒFinding the right specialist can be a challenge, especially for doctors who practise in rural Manitoba. This will really make the referral process much more efficient and will improve quality of care for all Manitobans.Ó ÒThis should save time for the family doctor, the specialists and the patients, since all of the important information is pulled together in one accessible tool,Ó added Dr. Robyn Olson, president of the Manitoba Medical Association. ÒPhysicians can be confident that theyÕre making the right referral to the right specialist.Ó The new $80,000 tool was developed in partnership with the medical community to improve efficiency and co-ordination among health-care providers. Every doctor and referring clinician in the province will be given a unique user name and password to access the catalogue. Doctors who provide specialized services will be able to log in and update their areas of expertise to ensure the catalogue remains an up-to-date online resource for referring physicians, especially for new Manitoba doctors and those in rural and remote parts of the province. Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced the catalogue on Tuesday. ÒThis new resource puts up-to-date information at doctorsÕ fingertips, giving referring physicians new tools to connect patients with the right specialist more quickly than before,Ó she said. ÒAs part of our strategy to decrease wait times, this is an innovative solution that will create new efficiencies and help us deliver better care.Ó
