Dr. Forrest chaired the six-person OAGS group that conducted the survey. Next year they hope to complete a manpower survey. But he's unsure how much it will change surgeons' lives. Surgeons already end up at the hospital many other nights looking after already-admitted patients, he added. People need to understand that the one in five refers to new patients only.
General surgeons have a number of other responsibilities.
That's a real important issue. The OAGS will soon ask the Ontario Medical Association and Canadian Medical Protective Association for their opinions on the maximum on-call policy, which has already been approved by the Canadian Association of General Surgeons.