Compiling the Best Wait-Time Strategies
Bone and Joint Decade Canada

James P. Waddell, M.D., FRCSC
Coordinator, Canadian National Action Network
for the Bone and Joint Decade

Bone and Joint Canada, part of the Bone and Joint Decade National Action Network for Canada, convened a meeting in Toronto in November 2006. We had excellent participation from across Canada with every region and most individual provinces represented. A significant number of representatives from the larger population provinces were present as well. In addition, we had participation from the Arthritis Society, Osteoporosis Society and the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation.

At the time of convening this meeting, it was recognized that wait times for hip and knee replacement surgery represent the "canary in the coal mine". Everyone practicing orthopaedic surgery in Canada recognizes that access to care is difficult for many patients, not just for the patients whose waits have been politicized. It is recognized that patients requiring spine surgery, shoulder surgery, non-replacement knee surgery, paediatric orthopaedic surgery, foot and ankle - the list is endless - also require improved access to care.

Our approach going forward is to compile a list of the strategies that have been adopted in different provinces, regions and even cities and make them known on a national basis to orthopaedic surgeons and other care providers across Canada. It is our expectation that these strategies can be adopted in local situations to deal not only with hip and knee replacement surgery but with other types of orthopaedic surgery depending upon demand and availability of practitioners.

We anticipate a follow-up meeting (our third since June of 2006) in the spring or summer of 2007 at which time a final strategy around improving access to orthopaedic care will be developed. We will then be prepared to begin meeting with government officials to obtain funding for implementation of this strategy.

This is a very exciting development for us. The Bone and Joint Decade and the National Action Network have received tremendous support from the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation in pursuing this particular strategy to improve access to care. Collaboration between the Foundation functioning as a patient advocacy organization and the National Action Network of the Bone and Joint Decade can make a real difference in orthopaedic care in this country.