The compensation paid to pediatric cardiac surgeons

Finding

The manner in which pediatric cardiac surgeons are financially compensated in Manitoba is not satisfactory.

The evidence suggests that one of the issues that encouraged Duncan to leave Manitoba related to the manner by which pediatric cardiac surgeons are compensated financially. As well, this was an issue when Dr. Odim was being recruited, and, if not addressed, will continue to present an issue for the future recruitment of pediatric cardiac surgeons.

For a variety of reasons, the global compensation available to pediatric cardiac surgeons in Manitoba is considerably less than that available to adult cardiac surgeons. This results from lower caseloads and lower surgical fees for procedures that are more complex and take longer than adult procedures. This disparity is in large measure based on historic circumstances that no longer apply. Unless the schedule is amended, it will be difficult to attract and retain experienced pediatric cardiac surgeons to this province.

Recommendation

It is recommended that: The Manitoba government and the Manitoba Medical Association adjust the Manitoba doctors' fee schedule to allow for the payment of compensation to pediatric cardiac surgeons that does not stand in the way of the effective recruiting of, and maintenance of, pediatric cardiac surgeons in Manitoba. The fee schedule should reflect the fact that pediatric cardiac surgeons are as highly trained as adult cardiac surgeons; that because of a lower case load, pediatric cardiac surgeons will perform fewer operations than adult cardiac surgeons; and that the operations that pediatric cardiac surgeons perform will be just as, if not more, complex than adult cardiac operations.