A perfect storm has descended on hospital emergency rooms. The shortage of family physicians that was apparent before the pandemic has worsened since COVID-19, with many medical doctors taking early retirement or switching career paths due to exhaustion and burn out. With walk-in clinics now booked up days in advance, many people seeking non-critical medical care are turning to their local hospital’s ER. 

However, once there they quickly discover the chances of seeing a doctor right away are slim. In fact, their wait time could stretch into hours and hours. That’s because, like their family practice counterparts, hospital staff – especially ER doctors and nurses – are resigning, retiring, or taking sick leave in record numbers. For many, the deciding factor is the increasing amount of abuse directed their way from frustrated and angry patients spending hours in a crowded waiting room to see a physician.

Are there other options than the ER or overbooked family physicians for those with non-critical medical needs? And what’s it actually like on the frontlines of healthcare as already-stretched facilities struggle with staff shortages and increasing demand? 

To find out, host Wayne Cox speaks with two doctors who understand only too well how the shortage of MDs and nurses is leading some people to seek non-emergency medical help in crowded ER departments – where they are faced with lengthy wait times to see a physician:

• Dr. Rogan Thavarajah, a family physician at Hilltop Medical Clinic and the Board Chair for the White Rock-South Surrey Division of Family Practice
• Dr. Dan Crompton, head of the Emergency Room at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, B.C.

They are joined by Vicki Brydon, Director of Public Relations with the Peace Arch Hospital foundation. Vicki discusses the Foundation’s “Use your ER wisely” campaign, an initiative that highlights good alternative options to the emergency room for those seeking non-urgent health care in White Rock and South Surrey. The aim of the “Use Your ER Wisely” campaign is to encourage the community to work together and ease the congestion and wait times in the hospital’s ER department.

The Power to Heal podcast, presented by Peace Arch Hospital Foundation in White Rock, British Columbia, takes you behind the scenes of an innovative hospital Foundation and introduces you to the team who find new and sometimes surprising ways to engage with the local community and help fund the best healthcare possible in the region. 

Download the Power to Heal wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Links:

“Use Your ER Wisely” -- a list of “right care at the right place” options for those seeking non-urgent medical help in the White Rock-South Surrey area.

For more information on the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, visit pahfoundation.ca