By Kerri Loudoun, Communications and Marketing Portfolio Leader (kerri.loudoun@skipatrol.ca)
Last month, we explained how the national management committee functions. In May’s member newsletter, we outlined how the CSP board of directors functions.
For July, we are outlining what the medical advisory committee does (also known as the MAC), and who makes up this committee.
General overview of the medical advisory committee (MAC)
The MAC is made up of medical professionals that may also be current CSP members or were active patrollers in the past. Most often, MAC members are physicians. The range of expertise among committee members includes family medicine, sports medicine, emergency medicine, orthopaedics, and trauma surgery. A new committee member is joining with experience in wilderness medicine.
The MAC sets the standards for the medical care aspect of a patroller’s day. They review, edit and approve the first aid components of the manual and extended protocols, respond to requests for changes and clarifications, and answer questions as they arise.
Long associated with the Training and Development portfolio, it now reports to the Board of Directors. However, it continues to work closely with the Training and Development portfolio to ensure that practice updates can be observed and adopted by all members of the Patrol across the country in a timely manner.
Meeting structure and frequency
Pre COVID-19, the MAC would meet in person at two-year intervals and for virtual meetings as required. Due to pandemic restrictions, this regular schedule of in-person meetings was halted, and the committee is discussing with the board what a new operating approach will look like in terms of the format and frequency of meetings. The MAC met in person as a group, at the Modernization Symposium held in Calgary, Alberta in May 2023.
How are committee members selected and how long do they serve on the committee?
MAC members are appointed by the board, after consultation with the existing MAC members. They either identify themselves as interested or are identified by zone and division leaders. There is no set term limit to be a MAC member. One committee member joined CSP as a patroller in 1988 and became a member of the MAC about 1995. MAC members contribute for as long as they are able with their other professional and life commitments.
The current committee is seven members.
How does this committee impact you as a patroller?
Maintaining currency and best practices is crucial to ensure the CSP meets national standards. So, the efforts of the MAC directly affect you in your day-to-day patrol duties.
You will recall how in your annual requalification, there are often updates that must be observed to sections of our AFA training. Those additions or modification to treatment delivery come out of the work the MAC members do.
Example 1 - In this current requalification cycle, there is an update around treating trench foot. Thanks to the collaboration of the highly skilled and experienced doctors on the MAC, our training materials were deemed necessary to be adjusted.
Example 2 - As an instructor trainer, you may have seen some significant changes in head, neck, and spine immobilization protocols. These were initiated by the MAC to ensure currency to others in the practicing first aid community and changing standards in the field.
Your MAC members
Here is a list of medical advisory committee members. We’ve asked each individual to share a little about themselves so you can get to know each person.
Click on each name to expand their profile.
This post is also available in: French