Dr. Parfitt responds to letter from retiring ophthalmologist Dr. Jelfimow; optometrist Dr. Ebata addresses patient concerns

Click here and here for CFJC stories on the matter.

Read on past the emails to see comments from Dr. Russ Ebata, a Kamloops optometrist who reached out to CFJC to address concerns he is hearing from patients.

…

From Dr. Jelfimow to Dr. Parfitt, Aug. 2

Dear Dr. Parfitt,

I have been following the CFJC report of the MLA’s meeting with my patients and your interview with Marty Hastings with great interest.

Since our last departmental meeting, it seems as your appointed ophthalmology “hiring lead” has had a change of heart following a meeting with MLA Stone regarding the need for a replacement ophthalmologist for my practice.

IHA’s suggestion that I refer my patients to Dr. Doughty’s practice has resulted in feedback from patients, stating that the remaining clinic is already overwhelmed, as I predicted.

I would like to bring your attention to your comment in the media regarding “the ophthalmologist you brought in the fall brought new skills”.

This is inaccurate and misleading.

The doctor in question is a general ophthalmologist, and is not fellowship trained. She has an interest in pediatric care, but no special skillset that any other general ophthalmologist does not possess.

In my experience, a fellowship trained subspecialist in ophthalmology would require a substantial increase in IHA hospital based resources.

On behalf of my patients, I am interested in what your plan is moving forward.

Peter Jelfimow MD FRCSC

From Dr. Parfitt to Dr. Jelfimow, Aug. 9

Thank you for your email.

I have communicated again with your colleagues who indicate that they have capacity to accept outpatient general ophthalmology referrals as you retire.

They still do not feel further recruitment is needed imminently, though as discussed previously this will be watched closely to ensure timely access for patients in our communities.

With regards to the new services I alluded to, that was in recognition of the pediatric strabismus procedures that we have resumed at RIH in the operating room, for which children and their families previously needed to travel for.

I wish you all the best in your retirement and assure you that our priority and the priority of the current ophthalmologists is to maintain timely access for all patients.

Elizabeth Parfitt, MD FRCPC (she/her)

Chief of Staff Infectious Diseases Physician

…

Kamloops-based optometrist Dr. Russ Ebata said he is in favour of another general ophthalmologist position opening in the area, as there can never be too many doctors serving the region and he expects some patients are likely to fall through the cracks when Jelfimow retires.

But he said his reason for reaching out to CFJC is to help address concerns he his hearing from patients.

“There are so many things we (optometrists) can manage, whether it be looking for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration … people are afraid,” Ebata said. “There is a good portion of patients who have been under the care of Dr. Jelfimow that whether it be for six months, a year, two years, until let’s say another ophthalmologist comes to town, for a lot of those patients, optometry can fill the need.”

Ebata used the example of patients who experience eye issues due to diabetes, noting optometrists are often able to manage care.

“Basically, the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist is that ophthalmologists do surgery. I don’t slice and dice,” Ebata said. “But there is a lot of dialogue and teamwork between ophthalmology and optometry. Diabetics are a good example. If I feel the patient’s eye vision is good and eyes are healthy, then an ophthalmologist isn’t 100 per cent necessary for every single patient.

“Hopefully, people understand they’re not completely left in the dark.”

by Marty Hastings

Dr. Parfitt responds to letter from retiring ophthalmologist Dr. Jelfimow; optometrist Dr. Ebata addresses patient concerns

Our Community