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Surgical operating time needed to attract new ophthalmologist

Surgical operating time needed to attract new ophthalmologist

Surgical operating time needed to attract new ophthalmologist

Re: Cowichan Valley Citizen article (Wednesday, June 7) Physician Shortages Reaching Critical Levels

We are writing to provide some further detail regarding the issues discussed in this article.

It should be emphasized that ophthalmology is a combined medical and surgical specialty which requires a total of five years of post graduate training in the medical and surgical management of eye disease. All ophthalmologists are trained surgically but are also required to provide management of a full range of medical issues related to eye disease. Glaucoma and other conditions such as macular degeneration are very prevalent in our growing and aging community.

A major concern related to our projected retirement at the end of 2017 is the significant shortfall in medical ophthalmology services which will result. Within the last two years, Dr. David Wakelin and Dr. John MacLeod who both contributed part time to the practice have retired. Both had hospital privileges and access to ambulatory care for procedures and contributed to on call services. We manage large numbers of patients with complex disease which is nonsurgical in nature and which requires a high level of expertise, time commitment and attention. These patients will be less well served with a further significant reduction in medical ophthalmology resources.

Attraction of a new comprehensive ophthalmologist to the community will only be possible if access to surgical operating time is provided to that person. A highly trained individual who has acquired surgical skills in a long period of training will not be interested in coming to a community where those skills cannot be applied through hospital affiliation.

The public should understand the implications of inaction by medical administration on this issue.

S.S.G. Polack, MD, FRCSC

Donald G MacGregor MD, FRCSC

Duncan Eye Specialists