Public Consultation: Walk-In Medical Care, House Calls and other Episodic Care

THIS PUBLIC CONSULTATION PERIOD HAS CONCLUDED.

CPSM launched a consultation process to seek feedback from its registrants, stakeholders, and the public regarding primary care through walk-in clinics, house calls, and other episodic encounters. 

The Need for a Standard

Continuity of care is critical to quality medical care. Fragmented care can create gaps, delays, and other challenges that prevent seamless, ongoing medical care for patients.

While it would be ideal for patients to receive all primary medical from their family doctor, this is not always possible for numerous reasons. Many patients lack access to a family doctor, their family doctor may be unavailable, a walk-in clinic’s hours or location may be more convenient, the patient is travelling within the province or is visiting Manitoba, or the patient can’t travel to the medical clinic.

When these barriers to a family doctor exist, walk-in clinics, house calls, and other forms of episodic care can be good options for patients. However, some patients may experience breakdowns in the continuity of care, which is essential in chronic disease management and other instances where follow-ups and further testing are required.

For better quality, consistency, and continuity of care, a CPSM working group has developed a DRAFT Standard of Practice for Episodic, House Calls, and Walk-In Primary Care.

The Standard

The draft Standard focuses on primary care provided at walk-in clinics, house calls, and other forms of episodic care.

• Walk-in clinics fill the void for many patients and play an essential part in providing medical care due to the convenience of time, location, and access.
• Sports and injury clinics, on-campus clinics, and public health clinics offer medical care on a walk-in or appointment basis (episodic care).
• Other patients, especially the elderly, those with mobility issues, parents with young children and no access to motor vehicles, and those too sick to travel to a medical clinic, use house call services to obtain medical care.

The Standard establishes requirements for:

• The standard of care to be provided.
• The relationship with regular primary care providers.
• Supporting patients to obtain a regular primary care provider.
• Continuity of care and/or follow-up care.
• Prescribing matters.

The Standard does not apply to primary medical care provided in:

• Emergency and urgent care in hospital settings.
•  Long-term care facilities such as personal care homes.
• Palliative and end-of-life care, including medical assistance in dying.
• Consultations.

The Working Group is made up of family physicians, including representation from walk-in clinics and family practice, one physician assistant, and two public representatives. 

Consultation Process

The draft Standard of Practice is being distributed to CPSM registrants and stakeholders including other regulated health professions. We are also asking for the public’s feedback through an online survey.

We ask that you share the draft Standard with any other stakeholders that could provide valuable perspectives on this topic.

How to Submit Your Comments if you are a CPSM Registrant  

1. Review the DRAFT Standard of Practice for Episodic, House Calls, and Walk-In Primary Care.
2. Submit your comments by email to: CPSMconsultation@cpsm.mb.ca

The deadline for feedback is April 30, 2022. THIS CONSULTATION IS NOW CLOSED.