Watch for the final version to be published in an upcoming issue of CJRM . The nurse's role in triage was explored, including the considerable variation in triage decisions, depending on a nurse's experience. This led to a discussion of the pros and cons of replacing physicians with nurses in the role of surgical assistant and the effect it would have on rural docs. The consensus was that although it is good for academic and social interactions for doctors to assist, many do not have the time.
Nurses can then take up the slack.
One RuralMedder suggested an equalization tax on the fee schedule of all docs in overserviced areas. This money would then go to underserviced areas to be used for CME and locums. Medicolegal problems were discussed in terms of the responsibility of doctors to report people unfit to drive, especially elderly or cognitively impaired patients. When he felt that one of his elderly patients was unfit to drive, he wrote to the Ontario Ministry of Transport to suggest a licence suspension. The patient objected and had to take a driver's evaluation.