College has brought in retired doctors

Re: “Arrogance, hubris — and we all suffer,” letter, Feb. 5.

While the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia understands the concerns Dr. Paul Fenje Jr. has about the shortage of physicians in his community and across B.C., there are mischaracterizations in his letter that I would like to address and clarify.

Dr. Fenje incorrectly suggests the college has “done nothing” during the COVID-19 pandemic to help alleviate strains to our health-care system compared with other jurisdictions that have taken action such as recruiting retired doctors.

Since the start of the pandemic, the college has initiated emergency registration on several occasions to re-register eligible retired physicians and surgeons to assist with the pandemic response.

To date, more than 470 physicians and surgeons have re-registered with the college to support health authority resourcing, contact tracing and vaccinations.

Another mischaracterization is the assertion that the college believes Canada is “superior to all others worldwide” when it comes to educating and training physicians and surgeons. This assertion misses the fact there are more than 4,400 physicians and surgeons licensed with the college who obtained their medical degrees outside of Canada from about 120 countries.

The college’s specific role in health human resourcing is to ensure those who apply to practise medicine in B.C. meet the necessary requirements and have the appropriate qualifications, regardless of where they graduated from medical school.

Robust standards and requirements are maintained so that B.C. patients can receive the best possible care from their physician or surgeon.

The college is aware many people are concerned about the shortage of physicians across the province.

Though this issue is very complex and has no simple solution, the college is committed in its role to being a part of that solution. What underpins this commitment is the college’s mandate to serve the public.

Heidi M. Oetter, MD Registrar and CEO College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia