Alberta introduces new program to improve access to specialists
Posted Dec 21, 2022 2:54 pm.
Alberta launched a new program to help patients find a specialist, like a urologist or orthopedic surgeon, with minimal wait time.
The Alberta Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment (FAST) consists of a central team that doctors can go through to find a specialist.
“The FAST program is an important step in the Alberta Surgical Initiative that will cut wait times at every step of a patient’s surgical journey,” said Jason Copping, Alberta’s minister of health, in a statement.
“This program will help patients see a specialist faster after they have received a referral from their primary care provider, and streamlines the process for busy family doctors, who can send their referrals to one place rather than sending to multiple different specialists.”
The implementation of the program is part of the Alberta Surgical Initiative (ASI), which was initially developed to help schedule surgeries within appropriate deadlines.
In a statement, Alberta says FAST already existed in Edmonton, and was rolled out to the rest of the province in August. It was able to handle 15,000 patient referrals to urologists and orthopedic surgeons.
“FAST is aimed at reducing wait times but it also gives patients choice in their care,“ said Mauro Chies, interim president and CEO of Alberta Health Services. “With FAST, family doctors can request their patient be referred to the next available specialist, or they can request a specific specialist or a specific location that the patient and their doctor have decided works best for the patient and their family. The whole program aims to improve how patients and providers experience care.”
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Dr. Joseph Ojedokun, a family physician in Whitecourt, says he started to see the positive results from the program.
“For primary care, FAST has become the fastest distribution vehicle for referral sorting and distribution to specialists,” said Ojedokun. “Patients and referring physicians are most grateful to have a single distribution point for all referrals – one good step toward improving access.”
While FAST will be expanded to all surgical specialties, the province is asking all physicians and patients to participate in an online survey to share their experiences.
“Collaboration has been key to making this program a reality,” said Dr. Paul Petrasek, a senior medical director with the Surgery Strategic Clinical Network and a vascular surgeon. “Primary care providers, specialists, operational staff, and patient and family advisors are all working together to ensure this program is a success.”
