Doctors Manitoba will be launching Doctor Directory (DocDir) this fall, a modern and comprehensive online directory designed by physicians, for physicians. This is being developed in partnership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba.

Its initial purpose is to make it easier to find the right physician for referrals, consultations, and collaboration, by not only listings physicians’ specialties but also additional information in a new easy-to-navigate format. 

The initial goal is to tackle part of the frustration associated with referrals and consultations, the top administrative burden identified by physicians.

Currently, Manitoba lacks a comprehensive listing of consulting physicians. This creates challenges and wasted time for both consulting and referring physicians.

Many consulting physicians report receiving consultation requests for areas outside of their practice, or referrals with incomplete patient information. The volume of misdirected referrals and missing information has been increasing, taking more and more of consulting physicians’ time to review and follow up.

For referring physicians, it can often be difficult to know which consultants sub-specialize in different areas, which are open to new referrals, and what information they require, wasting time navigating and resending referrals.

Doctor Directory aims to support both referring and consulting physicians.

What will be included in DocDir?

By default, DocDir profiles Directory will include existing information already posted publicly by CPSM, but in an easy search-and-find format. Physicians will be asked for supplemental information to add to their profile as part of the annual Doctors Manitoba membership renewal process.

DocDir profiles will include:

• Specialties, sub-specialties and any additional certifications recognized by CCFP or the Royal College
  (e.g. Certificates of Added Competence or Areas of Focused Competence)
• Areas of practice focus 
• Work locations
• Referral pathway and instructions
• Open to new referrals and typical wait times

Dr. Alon Altman, President of Doctors Manitoba and a gynecologic oncologist, encourages all physicians to participate.

“Together we can create one of the most valuable professional resources available to physicians in Manitoba. When our annual membership renewal opens this August, you will be invited to customize your Doctor Directory profile,” explained Dr. Altman, noting that integrating profile updates into the annual membership renewal process will help keep information up to date. Physicians will also be able to log in anytime to edit and update their information. 

Doctor Directory is being built under the guidance of medical advisor co-leads Dr. Alexis Botkin, a dermatologist with a consultant perspective, and Dr. Joanna Webb, a family physician with a referring point of view. 

Important: Update Your Profile This Summer

As part of the Doctors Manitoba annual renewal this August and September, we will be asking you to review and update your information to build your Doctor Directory profile. By integrating this into our annual renewal, it will ensure physician profiles are updated at least one per year, though physicians will be able to log in anytime to edit and add information.