“The ophthalmology department here doesn't have the resources to accommodate all the patients after I leave,” said Gerfimow, who has been in practice in Kamloops since 2008. “I can't answer why we don't need a third ophthalmology department. [ophthalmologist]. They are [IHA] “I realized the need eight months ago and took action. Now that I've left, we're back to two employees. It makes no sense.”
Gerfimow said last fall, IHA identified a need for three general ophthalmologists in the area and hired one to fill that need.
“In their communications with me, the IHA indicated that they thought a new pediatric ophthalmologist would be competent to see all of my patients, which is really unlikely,” Gerfimou said.
“If I have that ophthalmologist see 70 patients a day, mostly elderly patients, it raises the question: what happens to the pediatric patients in this town?”
Gerfimou cited the Canadian Medical Association Ophthalmology Profile and said the provincial average in British Columbia is about 3.8 ophthalmologists per 100,000 people.
The retiring doctor said he appreciated the input of the other two general ophthalmologists in the area, but noted they didn't seem to agree on whether the IHA should open up a new position when he retired.
“There was no support [from the two other ophthalmologists]”I think it's a question of operating room time and how it's distributed. Ophthalmology seems to be a field that makes some of the money in the field. There seems to be a little bit of resistance to a third ophthalmologist having access to that. I have no idea how that affects their practice, but if operating room time was distributed equally, I don't think we would be having this conversation.”
Gerfimou said there was enough time in the operating rooms and the problem lay with IHA's senior management and staffing.
“Operating room time is something that the IHA allocates based on need,” he said. “I identify the need. It's the IHA's responsibility to recognize the need and act accordingly.”
“The problem is that ophthalmologists who come to Kamloops need some time to treat patients holistically. There's a reluctance to give operating room time to new ophthalmologists. It's a grassroots issue.”
Judy Gibbard is one of Dr. Gerfimow's longtime patients.
“If it stays the way it is, a lot of people will be driving to Kelowna, Vernon, Vancouver, and that doesn't make sense because we're a vulnerable population. We're elderly,” said Gibbard, 70, who has two types of glaucoma.
“You often hear, 'No one wants to move to Kamloops,' but that's not the case in this case. We have a candidate who wants to come to Kamloops, but for some reason, the IHA has not approved the hiring of another person. I believe Mr. Dix can change this situation and I believe he will want to change this situation once he knows the facts, because in today's climate, you don't want so many people to have a reason not to vote for you.”
Health Minister Adrian Dix did not respond to a request for comment by publication deadline on Tuesday.
CFJC Today sent Interior Health a series of questions, including whether they plan to open a new position and why, what the issues are with Jelfimow's appointed replacement, whether the area will be underserved if Jelfimow retires, and if they found they needed a third ophthalmologist in the fall, why won't they need a third if Jelfimow retires.
The IHA responded with a statement from Dr Elizabeth Parfitt, chief of staff at the Royal Inland Hospital.
Interior Health's medical leadership met with Dr. Gerfimou to discuss his retirement, the future of ophthalmology services in Kamloops, and encouraged him to work with his colleagues to address patient transitions following his retirement. We are committed to ensuring continuity of patient care following Dr. Gerfimou's retirement, and Interior Health will continue to work with the physician group to monitor demand for services and recruit a replacement ophthalmologist as needed. Recruiting a new specialist is a collaborative process between RIH's ophthalmology department and field leadership. They jointly develop a medical staff resource plan, conduct impact analyses, participate in transparent job advertising and recruitment panels, and make recommendations to the IH Board of Directors through the Health Department Medical Advisory Committee. In addition to the need determination process, new specialists must be credentialed and gain privileges at the associated hospital.
There are four ophthalmologists in the region, including one para-specialist working in a limited capacity, Gerfimou said.
Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone said that's not enough.
“There is absolutely no reason to suggest that a catchment area of ​​225,000 people, including Kamloops and the surrounding area all the way up to Williams Lake, can get by with two ophthalmologists instead of the three we had. There are 18 ophthalmologists in the Okanagan. This is an outrageous situation and inexplicable. It's time for Adrian Dix to step in and say enough is enough and pave the way for this new ophthalmologist to take over Dr. Gerfimou's practice.”
Gerfimow said he hasn't heard from IHA since his last email on May 1 and that his concerns for patients remain as his retirement approaches.
“Many are unable to travel and realize that IHA's plan to transfer my patients to a pediatric ophthalmologist is not feasible, and they are considering the possibility of having to travel for further care. What will happen to them?” Gerfimow said, noting that IHA does not understand the full scope of ophthalmology. “I am concerned. They may end up losing their vision. Vision is such an important part of healthy aging. If they have an accident or fall down the stairs, it is all preventable by providing continuity of care. It will cost IHA nothing to replace me. Please officially advertise the position. Once that happens, this will not be an immediate issue.”
