The provincial government recently announced several changes to form requirements for patients who receive benefits from the Department of Social Development. After extensive work by the paperwork task force, which resulted in numerous recommendations, it is encouraging to see government taking steps to reduce unnecessary administrative burden on physicians.
Following collaboration between the NBMS and the departments of Social Development and Health, changes have been made to several forms which previously required physician signatures or input.
The changes include:
- Removing physician involvement in three instances.
- Expanding authorization to medical professionals other than a physician in nine instances.
- Streamlining forms and processes in 15 instances.
- Reducing or removing renewal requirements in 13 instances.
While certain of these changes may appear minor, the reality is that every unnecessary government form or sick note is essentially one less visit for patients waiting to be seen. We are hopeful that the cumulative effect of these changes results in physicians having more time to dedicate to clinical activities, and less of their off-hours being encroached upon by time-consuming paperwork.
There are important enhancements related to administrative burden that the NBMS would still like to see in order to bring us in line with neighbouring provinces like Nova Scotia, including the removal of physician signature requirements on employee sick notes. However, these changes are a welcome step in the right direction. The NBMS will continue to work with provincial departments to update additional forms in the coming year.
Jim Johnson, Communications Specialist
