A vision for success Doctors Nova Scotia 1 Doctors Nova Scotia 2012-2016 Strategic Plan Highlights
Our Vision of Success A vision is a picture of the future desired end state. The vision of success for Doctors Nova Scotia, in ten years time, looks like this: Respected Leader in the Health System The government and the public both see Doctors Nova Scotia as a leader and the collective voice of physicians in the transformation of the health system Doctors Nova Scotia is sought out as the go to source for the physician perspective on health policy issues Doctors Nova Scotia is proactively identifying physician-related trends and issues that need to be addressed and is at the table shaping the solutions to those issues Graduates of Doctors Nova Scotia s physician leadership programs are actively involved at national, provincial, regional and local efforts to improve and evolve the health system for the benefit of Nova Scotians Through Doctors Nova Scotia, physicians are driving forces for the improvement of quality in the delivery of patient care Doctors Nova Scotia s health promotion efforts are positively impacting the lifestyle choices of Nova Scotians Competitive and Transparent Remuneration for our Members Doctors Nova Scotia has negotiated terms with government that fairly and transparently address the economic well-being of physicians within the resources of the health system There is a new provincial fee structure in place that more accurately reflects the work performed by physicians and technological advances An Engaged, Unified and Supportive Membership A strong majority of members are engaged in the affairs of and feel wellrepresented by Doctors Nova Scotia as measured by concrete indicators Members are supportive and believe there is value in belonging to Doctors Nova Scotia Members feel informed by and connected to the association An Adaptive Profession All physicians in the province are connected to and using the provincial e-health system Nova Scotia remains a place where physicians want to practice The demographic and generational shift within the medical profession has occurred smoothly and in accordance with the best interests of patients An Employer of Choice 2 Doctors Nova Scotia 2012-2016 Strategic Plan Highlights Doctors Nova Scotia continues to be recognized as a desired employer
Introduction CEO MESSAGE This is an exciting time for Doctors Nova Scotia, an organization devoted to serving its members and committed to making our health system the best that it can be for all Nova Scotians. During the consultations leading to the development of this strategic plan, our members, our employees and key stakeholders have confirmed that the winds of change are blowing strongly for the health system and the medical profession. The pace and complexity of change are increasing. With change come opportunities and challenges for the association. This strategic plan provides the association with a framework to guide its priorities over the next four years. We know that Doctors Nova Scotia cannot be all things to all people. It is important to focus the resources of the association on the priorities that are the most important to our physician members. We have listened intently to members, employees and key stakeholders during the planning process. With the benefit of this input, we have articulated a long-term vision of success for Doctors Nova Scotia which, in turn, has enabled us to determine our priorities for the next four years. The Board of Directors believes The Board of Directors believes this strategic plan addresses this strategic plan addresses the the issues of central importance to our members and to the issues of central importance to association. our members and to the association. Doctors Nova Scotia clearly has its work cut out for it over the next several years. Yet, with the active engagement of membership and the ongoing commitment and professionalism of our team, we are confident in the organization s ability to achieve success. Nancy MacCready-Williams CEO 3 Doctors Nova Scotia 2012-2016 Strategic Plan Highlights
Our Purpose Doctors Nova Scotia is dedicated to advancing: Quality patient-centered care Progressive health policy and promotion The economic and general well-being of physicians Our Values In carrying out our work in serving our members, we strive to demonstrate: Caring and compassion a personal/human touch and a desire to truly understand the needs of our members and their patients Teamwork a willingness to work together and to help each other succeed Professionalism a commitment to being responsive and focused on making the members experience the best that it can be Respect and trust as the cornerstone for meaningful and lasting relationships Innovation - a can do attitude that welcomes the opportunity to develop creative solutions 4 Doctors Nova Scotia 2012-2016 Strategic Plan Highlights
Our Strategic Priorities Where do we need to focus for the next four years? Our strategic priorities are as follows: Strategic Priority 1 Enhance the economic and general well-being of physicians Strategic Priority 2 Strengthen physician leadership in health transformation Strategic Priority 3 Engage and unify the membership Strategic Priority 4 Help our members adapt to change 5 Doctors Nova Scotia 2012-2016 Strategic Plan Highlights
Our Strategic Priorities Strategic Priority1 Enhance the Economic and General Well-Being of Physicians This priority is critical to the recruitment and retention of physicians in Nova Scotia. Our goals in relation to this priority are to: (a) Continue to implement and enhance incentive programs under the current Master Agreement (b) Successfully negotiate a new Master Agreement and WCB contract that achieve competitive compensation and better care (c) Review and update the fee schedule (d) Develop a fair and transparent billing audit and appeal process (e) Implement well-functioning and collaborative AFP and APP governance processes We will know that we have been successful when: Nova Scotia has retained and is able to recruit the required physician resources All compensation frameworks support the evolving role of physicians Members understand and have confidence in the billing audit and appeal process Members feel that the association s benefit and wellness programs meet their needs at a reasonable cost Strategic Priority2 (f) Deliver benefit and wellness programs that respond to the changing needs and priorities of our members Strengthen Physician Leadership in Health Transformation Our goals in relation to this priority are to: (a) Develop and deliver physician leadership development programs (b) Ensure that Doctors Nova Scotia physician leaders are influential and at the table at the outset of all major health transformation initiatives. (c) Collaborate with others to develop new models of care that incorporate the unique role of physicians in the delivery of patient care (d) Initiate health promotion campaigns with measurable impact (e) Influence the provincial e-health system to meet physicians practice and patient care needs We will know that we have been successful when: Physicians have played a strong and visible leadership role in shaping a health system that provides patients with timely access to quality care Physicians unique role in providing the best possible health care to Nova Scotians is better defined, optimized and recognized Members, government and the public see Doctors Nova Scotia as a proactive and effective advocate for healthy living and progressive public health policy Physicians have access to e-health systems that meet their practice and patients needs 6 Doctors Nova Scotia 2012-2016 Strategic Plan Highlights
Engage and Unify our Members Strategic Priority 3 Our goals in relation to this priority are to: (a) Meaningfully engage members in the association s work, particularly in support of health transformation (b) Encourage greater physician-to-physician collegiality and connectivity (c) Review and update the association s governance to reflect best practices (d) Dispel misperceptions by creating more transparency around compensation models and accountabilities (e) Instill membership confidence in the association s ability to represent their interests in negotiations with the province (f) Create an enhanced public image for physicians We will know that we have been successful when: More physicians are participating in Doctors Nova Scotia activities and sections New tools and supports exist to encourage physician-to-physician collaboration The association s governance structures reflect best practice Physician compensation frameworks and accountabilities are transparent to our members Members have confidence in the association s ability to represent their interests in negotiations Members feel that the association is projecting a positive public image for physicians The public has a positive image of physicians Help our Members Adapt to Change Strategic Priority 4 Our goals in relation to this priority are to: (a) Partner with medical faculties to educate medical students about career opportunities and the demands of practice in our evolving health-care system (b) Ensure that compensation frameworks for our members support enhanced distributed learning opportunities for medical students in Nova Scotia (c) Enhance the Business of Medicine program to support physicians entering, transitioning (from full-time to parttime) and retiring from practice (d) Build awareness of multi-generational styles of practice and and their implications for the practice of medicine (e) Support physicians in the adoption of EMRs We will know that we have been successful when: The association is helping medical students make informed choices about their medical career options Increased distributed learning opportunities exist for medical students and physician compensation supports that mandate Physicians feel that Doctors Nova Scotia has provided valuable support to them as they transition into and out of practice Multi-generations of physicians are finding ways to work well together The majority of our members are using EMRs in the delivery of patient care 2012-2016 Strategic Plan Highlights Doctors Nova Scotia 7
Strengthening our Organization In order to be successful we also need to build or strengthen the organizational foundations that will support the advancement of our strategic priorities. During the term of this strategic plan, the association will strive to: a. Ensure our financial sustainability b. Enhance organizational structure, capacity and systems c. Champion a workplace of choice Reporting on Our Progress With the approval of this strategic plan, work will begin immediately on developing a balanced scorecard that will translate the strategic priorities into measurable targets and key indicators. Doctors Nova Scotia will then provide quarterly progress updates to the Board of Directors and the membership. The association is committed to demonstrating accountability in the ongoing implementation of the strategic plan. Conclusion This strategic plan is aggressive and progressive. If successful it will position the association, and more importantly physicians, as leaders in moving our health-care system in a direction that will provide better patient care. It demonstrates that the association and physicians are committed to not only providing quality care on the ground every day, but to shaping what the health-care system looks like for future patients and physicians. Success will only be possible if significant change takes place both with the association and its membership. The association needs to align its resources (people and time) to the priorities in this plan. It needs to form meaningful relationships with all the key decision makers in the health-care system. It needs to connect with as many members as possible to ensure it is reflecting their reality. It will need discipline to stay focused on what members have said was most important and not let itself get distracted by issues that do not align with the strategic approach. It needs to be accountable to its members by both keeping them informed in what is happening and by staying true to the commitments made in this plan. In return, the greater physician community will also need to take ownership of the strategic plan. They need to educate the association on what changes will have the most significant impact on improved patient care and their general well-being. Through Doctors Nova Scotia, they need be visible and become key influencers in advising government and other decision makers on how to make the most meaningful change. The association has credibility and a strong track-record for innovative thinking. That combined with this well-thought out strategic vision puts Doctors Nova Scotia and physicians in an ideal position for success. 8 Doctors Nova Scotia 2012-2016 Strategic Plan Highlights