Dr. Audrey Van Zanten, Acadia Medical Clinic, Saskatoon

The $10-million Innovation Fund was negotiated as a key component of the 2022-26 agreement. Twenty‑eight medical clinics across Saskatchewan have received support from the Innovation Fund to better meet the needs of their patients and communities. These projects are helping clinics add team members, improve care, and build stronger, physician-led, team‑based care.

The Saskatchewan Medical Association is profiling individual physicians whose Innovation Fund project ideas are driving change in family medicine in Saskatchewan. Featured is Dr. Audrey Van Zanten and the team at the Acadia Medical Clinic in Saskatoon.

Dr. Audrey Van Zanten and the team at Acadia Medical Clinic are undertaking an Innovation Fund project designed to significantly improve patient access to care, reduce wait times, and strengthen chronic disease management.

The project’s primary focus is the addition of 1.5 FTE nursing positions, allowing for improved patient flow, reduced administrative burden, and timely follow‑up for one of the largest chronic disease populations in the Saskatoon area..

“The clinic is experiencing significant delays in patient care due to long wait times for appointments of between two to seven months, and between 21 and 163 hours of wait/seen time in December 2024 alone. These delays have cascading effects on patient health, staff workload, and the clinic’s ability to manage an ever‑growing volume of chronic disease patients requiring multiple annual visits.”

Acadia Medical Clinic is a long‑established and highly experienced practice with seven family physicians, a pediatrician, and a mental health counsellor, many of whom have practiced in Saskatoon for more than 20 years. It cares for a large and diverse patient population that includes 2,440 patients with diabetes, 400 with COPD, 763 with CAD, and 213 with congestive heart failure.

Acadia’s physicians and office staff face overwhelming administrative demands, which limit time for triaging, patient education, and proactive follow‑up. Staff are overwhelmed with calls and reminders, and physicians do not have the time for follow-up for patient care planning and triaging.

“Our patient mix demands structured, consistent chronic disease support. With many elderly patients requiring intensive follow‑up and education, our physicians have reached a point where additional nursing support is essential for maintaining quality care.”

“Bringing trained nurses into the team will create a clearer patient flow, improve chronic disease education, and allow staff to work at the top of their scope.”

The clinic anticipates several measurable improvements from its Innovation Fund project:

• 30 per cent reduction in patient wait times for appointments.
• Improved chronic disease follow‑up, aiming for 90 per cent compliance within one year.
• Increased number of tasks completed and more timely care coordination.
• Reduced no‑shows and cancellations through automated text reminders.
• Greater work‑life balance for staff, reducing burnout and improving retention.