People from communities across the Cowichan Region have been responding to the family doctor survey. The doctors at the Cowichan Division of Family Practice are committed to ensuring every resident who wants a family doctor can have one. The division has contracted Social Planning Cowichan to conduct a survey to learn more about how residents in the region use doctors. This information will help design a local family practice system that works better for patients. Blank surveys and drop boxes are at locations in Ladysmith, Chemainus, North Cowichan, Duncan, Lake Cowichan, Halalt Territory, Cowichan Tribes Territory, Cowichan Bay, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay, and Shawnigan Lake. The survey is also available online at www.socialplanningcowichan.org. Representatives from Social Planning Cowichan have brought the surveys to local events and venues. So far the majority of respondents are women and people over 34. “It is important to have representation from all age groups and from men as well as women in order to get an accurate picture of the health care needs of everyone in the Region” said Valerie Nicol, executive lead of the Cowichan Division of Family Practice. Over the next two weeks, representatives from Social Planning Cowichan will be focusing on youth and men to complete the survey. They are hoping that people will go to our website to find out where drop boxes are, complete the survey online, or call 250-746-1004 ext 250 to get a survey. As an incentive, for each completed survey a contribution will be made to local charities throughout the Cowichan Region who work to improve the social determinants of health. “Charitable donations are being targeted to encourage residents in each community across the region to participate,” said Linden Collette with Social Planning Cowichan. The survey runs until March 11, 2011.— Social Planning Cowichan
