“Access Block” What is it and what are the challenges facing the Alberta Health Care System? With Dr. Paul Parks

The speaker will define and provide examples of “Access Block” within our Health Care system, and discuss what it means for patients and patient outcomes.   An overview of the current challenges and issues growing within our system, that impair timely access to acute health care in our province will be considered.    Speaker:     Dr. Paul Parks MD, FRCPC              From 2006 to the present, Dr. Parks has been actively involved in provincial & national Emergency Department Overcrowding (EDOC) advocating for important access initiatives and changes.  Since 2009, he has been advocating provincially for the open & unfettered ability for physicians to advocate on behalf of their patients, & was actively involved in the government-initiated Health Quality Council of Alberta Review which concluded in 2012. This review stated unequivocally that both “Access Block” & Physician Intimidation were & still are significant issues in health care delivery within Alberta.  Dr. Parks’ advocacy has been honoured with the Alan Drummond Advocacy Award in 2011; and the Public Interest Alberta Award in 2014.   Dr. Paul Parks is currently an Emergency Physician at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, & is the President of the Section of Emergency Medicine for the Alberta Medical Association & is presently clinical lecturer at the University of Calgary - Dept of Emergency Medicine & Family Medicine. He was Trauma Team Leader & clinical lecturer at the University of Alberta - Emergency Medicine. Paul is an Emergency Medicine Examiner with the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada & is an Emergency Clinical Network Member with Alberta Health Services (AHS). In recognition of his teaching and Resident Mentorship, Dr. Parks received the University of Calgary’s Clinical Teaching Award, the Canadian Emergency Medicine Teacher of Year in 2007 as well as Outstanding Clinical Teacher of Medical Students from the University of Alberta.   Paul Parks is happily married to his wife Samantha and proud father to two daughters.  A movie buff, avid reader and participant and Board of Director of the Medicine Hat Musical Theatre.  He is a Craft Beer lover, and co-founder and co-owner of Hell’s Basement Brewery.