Overview
Advocacy and Advice
CMA/SMA health policy and research activities maintain the medical profession
at the forefront of the political and public health debate. Priority issues
include timely access to quality health care, growing shortages of physicians
and other providers, adequate funding for health infrastructure and information
technologies and rural practice challenges. The CMA/SMA provide advocacy and
advice for the profession and for individual practitioners.
Collective Bargaining/Fees
The SMA is the sole bargaining agent for fee-for-service physicians and is
responsible for the allocation of funding among sections and the setting of
fees for all medical services. Support and advice is also available to physicians
working under salary or contractual arrangements. The SMA has bargained for
and administers reimbursement programs for liability insurance and continuing
medical education, and funds to enhance recruitment and retention of physicians.
Communications/Publications
The “SMA News,” “President’s Letters” and sma.sk.ca
keep members current on Association issues and events. CMA publications, including
CMAJ and CMA Bulletin, provide members with information about political, economic,
and clinical developments which affect the practice of medicine. Members also
enjoy discounts on CMA’s selection of Canadian and International publications.
Education
The SMA provides financial support for the Practice Enhancement Program and
the Continuing Professional Learning division of the College of Medicine.
The CME Fund reimburses practicing physicians for continuing medical education
costs. In addition, the SMA offers bursaries to medical students and residents.
CME accredited courses from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and
the Royal College of Family Physicians are available online at cma.ca providing
flexible, self-paced learning.
Insurance
A wide range of insurance products including life, long-term disability, office
overhead, accidental death and dismemberment, home, medical and dental benefits,
and group benefits for employees of medical office, afford members effective
low-cost protection. Disability and life insurance policyholders receive premium
refunds in years when claims experience is favourable.
Investment and Financial Services
MD Financial GroupTM is one of Canada’s leading investment management
firms, providing products and advice to Canadian Medical Association member
physicians and their families. MD Financial GroupTM offers financial planning,
mutual funds, investment counseling, portfolio management services, estate
and trust services, insurance products and a banking referral service. For
more information, visit cma.ca/mdm.
Physician Health and Well-Being
The SMA supports physician health and well-being through a range of programs
and services including the Saskatchewan Physician Support Program, the Member
Advisory Committee, the Parental Leave Program and the Medical Benevolent
Society (which is managed jointly with the College of Physicians and Surgeons).
Confidential referral, intervention and on-going support is available to physicians
and their families through both the SMA and the CMA Centre for Physician Health
and Well-being.
Recruitment and Retention Support
Recruitment and retention have been identified as priorities for the SMA.
To accomplish these goals, two funds have been negotiated and are managed
by the SMA to offer programs ranging from bursaries to educational grants
to relief services.
CMA Online/SMA Online
CMA and SMA websites provide members with unlimited 24/7 access to the full
text of 1000+ peer-reviewed medical journals, 50+ textbooks through MD Consult
and EBSCOhost electronic journals service, and OVID Medline clinical resources.
CMA librarians can provide complete technical and research assistance to support
search and information gathering needs. What's more, members enjoy exclusive
discounts on PDAs, medical textbooks, digital cameras and Clinical PDA applications
at the cma.ca online store. Visit cma.ca to find out more.
