The Results of the Discovery Zone Community Health Needs Assessment
In the Bonavista Area, people felt that the turnover of family physicians was excessive; however, a review of tenures of family physicians indicates that there has been stability in the area. Of the ďŹ ve contracted physicians at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre, three have been working there between three and 12 years with two working for less than one year. In addition, there are three fee-per-service physicians in the area who have been working from between four and 35 years. People also expressed concern over the likelihood of physicians retiring in the near future and the added stress that would cause. In the Clarenville Area, people were concerned with the lack of availability of family physicians during evenings, weekends or Friday a ernoons and the lack of walk-in clinics. During discussions with family physicians, they noted this area as a racting seniors as a place to retire. This, combined with the aging population in general, means that acuity and complexity of their patients is increasing, particularly as it relates to chronic disease management. Chronic disease management, particularly diabetes, cancer and heart disease, is a concern for people. As Figure 14 indicates, the incidence of these diseases is high compared with national averages. The community family physicians indicated that it is very diďŹƒcult if not impossible for them to focus on health promotion.
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