CCFP EXAM MAKES THE GRADE
I'm writing in reference to your recent articles "Trying... and trying... to get my CCFP" (Vol 2 No 1), published in the January 15 issue, and "It's not the testing, it's the test" (Vol 2 No 3) published in the February 15 issue. I am a medical school graduate of 1980. After I interned, I set up a solo practice in Victoria, BC, for 10 years. Now I live in Ontario. I wrote the CCFP (certificate, College of Family Physicians) exams in 1987 and obtained my certification. I didn't find it easy and didn't attend any workshops, but do think it's a reasonable exam. For practice-eligible candidates, it can be intimidating, having been away from focused study and not being familiar with the specific exam process. With regular studying and some research into the exam process itself, practice-eligible candidates should make it through the exam, and yes, the same standard should be applied for all in an examination.

Dr Elizabeth Spratt
Toronto, ON

DATED MANAGEMENT TIPS
The advice contained in your Practice Management column, "Do more — and enjoy it too" (Vol 2 No 2) that appeared in your January 30 issue might have been relevant in 1975, but it misses the mark in 2005. "Turn over mail sorting/filing duties to your spouse," your article confidently declares, assuming the typical physician spouse doesn't also have a career. The next gem is to, "Delegate, delegate, delegate [and] have a nurse or assistant look after it." I wonder, did the writer take into account the cost of one extra employee? No matter, because according to your article, to alleviate the stress of mundane chores physicians can just, "See a sufficiently greater number of patients to more than pay for the assistant." At our office, it'll take five extra patients per day, per physician to pay for the additional help. I can't agree that seeing more patients in any way alleviates physician stress or contributes to a well-managed practice.

Wenda Dottridge
Manager, Symons Valley
Firstcare Calgary, AB

Not every suggestion will work for every practice. As to the spouse handling the mail, I know of two 21st century female MDs with stay-at-home (younger) husbands who do handle their mail.
— Lester Wheatley