Re: Doctor shortage in critical condition (News, Nov. 23)
I think some doctors employ experienced, capable nurses, but my experience goes beyond B.C.
B.C. has nurses giving medical advice, via the 811 service. Other remote service include email (there was a service in Bellingham Wash.), website dialogue (used by Microsoft for its employees), and audio-visual links as used in remote areas to engage specialists.
And note that the UK is encouraging self-monitoring, to reduce costs.
So there is a significant incidence rate of use of less-than-doctor qualifications to provide medical care, besides nurse practitioners, the question is whether or not much more use could be made.
I think so, but the nurses have to be quite capable people. They have the advantage that, like doctors, they are very attuned to customer outcomes whereas typical medical office staff are not.
Keith Sketchley, Saanich
