Workforce Planning Task Group
Chair
Dr. Sam Bugis
Committee Members
- DR. KEN LESLIE
- DR. MICHAEL OTT
- DR. STEVE POOLER
- DR. PHIL SMITH
- DR. MARK WALSH
- DR. MARY WELLS
The purpose of the Task Group is to advance the recommendations of the 2019 Workforce Summit which were approved by the Board on February 22, 2020. The work will involve reviewing the recommendations, developing a work plan and engaging University Department and Division Heads, Provincial General Surgery Associations, General Surgery Residents, Rural and Community Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Provincial Regulatory Colleges and other groups like the Canadian Medical Association.
The CAGS Workforce Planning Committee has identified the following themes and 6 recommendations to address workforce issues in General Surgery.
A. Better Information:
Recommendation 1. CAGS will provide a resource to post all known General Surgery career opportunities and will actively promote this resource to health authorities, hospitals, and departments of surgery across Canada.
B. Better Planning:
Recommendation 2. CAGS will promote career planning that starts early in training by advocating with Program Directors, Division and Department Heads of Surgery.
Recommendation 3. CAGS will establish, communicate and promote a policy for transitioning out of practice with the statement that surgeons will provide a minimum of 2 years notice of plans to retire.
C. Sound Practice Options and Guidelines
Recommendation 4. CAGS will support and advocate for thoughtful practice-sharing and its benefits.
Recommendation 5. CAGS will actively and emphatically discourage the practice of using new graduates for on call activities only.
D. Enhanced Training and Distribution of Surgeon Human Resources
Recommendation 6. CAGS will support, promote and advocate training for the “Generalist” General Surgeon that meets the needs of patients, the population and providers in their regions.