Sask. no longer shares COVID-19 modelling data with its doctors
Alexander Quon · CBC News · Posted: Sep 24,2021
COVID-19 testing at Evraze Place in Regina, Sask., on Sept. 9, 2021.
(Matthew Howard/CBC)
Something Saskatchewan's doctors suspected has now been confirmed: the province is withholding COVID-19 modelling data from them.
In the early stages of the pandemic, modelling data was provided to doctors.
Although modelling is not a crystal ball that shows the future, it does give health professionals and policymakers information that can help them inform decisions.
That transparency stopped several months ago. It was never made clear why.
More than 31,000 3rd COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Sask.
Saskatchewan nears 80 per cent of eligible people having first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Adult COVID-19 patients being treated in Sask. children's hospital, health authority says
Doctors were finally given an answer by Dr. Susan Shaw, an ICU doctor and a chief medical officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), during a virtual physician town hall on Thursday.
Shaw was asked about the subject by Dr. Carla Holinaty, a family doctor in Saskatoon.
Shaw confirmed that although modelling is still being produced by the province, the Ministry of Health has decided that it should no longer be widely shared with doctors in the province.
"I think it confirms what we had all been suspicious of, but it was no less disheartening to hear," Holinaty told CBC News on Friday.
Only senior officials at the SHA receive the data. It's then used for planning purposes.
Earlier this week, Premier Scott Moe said that the province's medical community should provide guidance and use their expertise to get more people vaccinated.
Something Saskatchewan's doctors suspected has now been confirmed: the province is withholding COVID-19 modelling data from them.
In the early stages of the pandemic, modelling data was provided to doctors.
Although modelling is not a crystal ball that shows the future, it does give health professionals and policymakers information that can help them inform decisions.
That transparency stopped several months ago. It was never made clear why.
More than 31,000 3rd COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Sask.
Saskatchewan nears 80 per cent of eligible people having first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Adult COVID-19 patients being treated in Sask. children's hospital, health authority says
Doctors were finally given an answer by Dr. Susan Shaw, an ICU doctor and a chief medical officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), during a virtual physician town hall on Thursday.
Shaw was asked about the subject by Dr. Carla Holinaty, a family doctor in Saskatoon.
Shaw confirmed that although modelling is still being produced by the province, the Ministry of Health has decided that it should no longer be widely shared with doctors in the province.
"I think it confirms what we had all been suspicious of, but it was no less disheartening to hear," Holinaty told CBC News on Friday.
Only senior officials at the SHA receive the data. It's then used for planning purposes.
Earlier this week, Premier Scott Moe said that the province's medical community should provide guidance and use their expertise to get more people vaccinated.
WATCH | Sask. COVID cases continue to rise
Sask. COVID-19 cases continue to rise
2 days ago
For the fourth straight day, COVID-19 cases in Saskatchewan are on the rise. Two physicians in the province discuss the current situation, patient care and the stress on health-care staff. 9:58
Holinaty says there is a disconnect between what Moe is urging and the desire to restrict and withhold the COVID-19 modelling data.
If family physicians and other doctors had the data, it could be another tool to sway people who may be vaccine resistant or vaccine hesitant, she said.
"Without it, we just are speculating and we don't have any data to refer to, or numbers, or projections," Holinaty said. "Being able to quantify that for people in terms of what that might mean for numbers of hospitalizations, numbers of people in the intensive care unit, I think it is much more more powerful and much more concrete for people."
ANALYSISCOVID-19 vaccination rate continues to rise after proof-of-vaccine announcement in Sask.
Saskatchewan halts organ donation program due to COVID-19 surge
Pediatric hospital appointments cancelled in Sask. as COVID numbers rise
The Ministry of Health did not respond to a request for comment.
RELATED STORIES
Sask. Medical Association president's letter warns physicians about 'tough times ahead'
Adult COVID-19 patients being treated in Sask. children's hospital, health authority says
Sask. doctor calls for lockdown as COVID-19 begins pushing ICUs to the limit
No comments:
Post a Comment