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Annual General Meeting on September 15, 2007

Minutes One Hundredth Annual Meeting College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan

The one hundredth Annual Meeting of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan was held in Salon A at TCU Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Saturday, September 15, 2007, commencing at 12 noon.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Dr. E. Tsoi, Past President of the College and Chair for the meeting.

Presidential Report

Dr. S. Kassett, President of the College, gave a report on some of the activities of Council over the past year.

For the benefit of non-physician attendees at the meeting, Dr. Kassett reported that the governing Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons is comprised of eighteen members, 12 physicians elected from 9 district, (2 each from Regina and Saskatoon), the Dean of Medicine and five public members. He noted that when he had first come on Council he had wondered about the necessity of having public members serve on Council, but he now knows they each play a uniquely important role in the decisions of Council. He noted that the majority of the Council meetings are open to the public (a public gallery in the College boardroom accommodates those who come) although there is also a portion held in-camera.

Dr. Kassett reported that from time to time complaints have been received from physicians about publishing the names of physicians who have had formal charges brought against them. In the College's attempt to be transparent in its processes it has established a policy that the names these physicians will be published whether they are guilty or not.

Dr. Kassett noted that most physicians are of the opinion that when a complaint is lodged with the College these never reach the Council; but many do. The first core function of the College is medical regulation, registration and discipline.

Dr. Kassett stated that one would think that registration would be very straightforward. However, in the last two years there has been a great demand for increased medical manpower and as a consequence there have been many requests for special licensure of physicians. Sometimes an RHA wants to to employ a certain specialist when that specialist does not meet the College's registration requirements. This has prompted the Council to consider/discuss various requirements for licensure, especially with respect to International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

On the topic of registration, the College has received complaints about CAPE assessment process and the physicians who don't quality for licensure or require remedial training before they are eligible for licensure. The CAPE is a national assessment tool but it might be better if Saskatchewan had its own assessment tool (one is not available at the moment).

Dr. Kassett noted the other part of the College's function is risk reduction. The College has adopted the Beers Criteria for the prescribing of benzodiazepines and there have been a number of communications with physicians about the use of potentially dangerous drugs. He reminded the physicians present at the meeting of the availability of PIP, which to date has been underutilized. He stated this is an invaluable tool for physicians.

Dr. Kassett's final comments were about strategic planning. The College now has undergone such a process and the plan has been adopted by Council. However, the College is restricted in what it can accomplish by the lack of resources and manpower.

Dr. Kassett thanked the members of Council for their hard work over the past year. He also thanked the College office staff for all the work it has done over the past year. Finally, he noted that Council has recently taken its first step to become "paperless", a process he finds quite simple and easy to use.

Registrar's Report

Dr. D.A. Kendel, Registrar, also reported that during 2007 the College undertook a strategic planning process. The committee's work is done, and now his begins. He said the strategic "plan" is really more of a strategic "menu" and he must decide what items the College will work on. Some items on the "menu" include (1) human resources, (2) increased quality improvement, (3) increased assessment, (4) access to care, (5) working as teams, and (6) a trend toward technology as a tool.

Dr. Kendel made a few comments about working in teams. The College's plan is more on how these organizations (Regional Health Authorities, Sask. Health, Saskatchewan Medical Association, College of Medicine, etc.) can work/collaborate with the College.

Dr. Kendel noted that historically the College has set its budget based on the previous year's experience. He noted the College now has an "Innovation Fund". He stated he hopes that next year physician registrations will be web based as well as the outline submission of registration CVs. It is his intention to hire a half-time IT person next year.

Dr. Kendel noted that the 2007 Interdisciplinary Conference between the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists, the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association and the College of Physicians & Surgeons is a start in the right direction toward "collaborative care".

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Recording Secretary - J. Heinen