Located on the second floor of the CLSC Camirand, on the street of the same name in Sherbrooke, this public IPS clinic is the only one of its kind in Estrie, although others, private, already exist. The concept is also relatively recent in the Quebec health network.
The Tribune was able to visit the establishment for the first time, a few days before the official announcement of the opening. At the time of our visit, the clinic had been in operation since October 15 and the pace of work was going well.
“The clinic is open during the day, but also offers appointments at unfavorable times, i.e. Saturdays and until 8 p.m. in the evening,” explains Julie Gladu, coordinator of advanced nursing practices at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie- CHUS.
There are seven consultation rooms, some of which where IPS can carry out minor operations, such as small biopsies. A room is also dedicated to the physiotherapist who works with the IPS. It was also in use during our visit, like several of the consultation rooms.
Seven consultation rooms are available in the clinic. This can be used to perform small operations, such as minor biopsies.
(Maxime Picard/La Tribune)
“There are currently four IPS, but two more will join us after Christmas. We are accompanied by three clinical nurses and two auxiliary nurses. A physiotherapist also works here,” indicates IPS Marie-Ève Côté.
With this team, the clinic can see 25 orphan patients daily in addition to taking care of users, as can be done in a family medicine group, for example.
These two clienteles arrive exclusively from the First Line Access Counter (GAP) and the Access Counter for Orphan Clientele (GACO), two options offered by the health network for patients without a family doctor.
It is therefore not possible to make an appointment for this clinic on ClicSanté, for example.
Follow-ups are also offered via teleconsultation by the NPs at this clinic.
The scope of practice of specialized nurse practitioner clinics is vast. For example, they can diagnose illnesses, such as ear infections.
(Maxime Picard/La Tribune)
One more door
The scope of practice of IPS is also quite broad. Depending on their specialty, they can diagnose diseases, prescribe medications or diagnostic tests, monitor pregnancies or apply certain invasive treatments, for example.
“You can come to us with any health problem. There is only mental health where we can only evaluate, but not diagnose,” summarizes Marie-Ève Côté.
As winter approaches, respiratory virus season is also upon us. Last year, and those before, the emergency departments of Estrie suffered a hard blow during the holiday period.
The CIUSSS already had the opening of such a clinic in its plans at the time, as revealed to The Tribune its deputy general director, Annie Boisvert, last December.
“It’s another access point for the first line, so the patient will benefit,” says Julie Gladu.
The coordinator of advanced nursing practices, Julie Gladu, explains that the CIUSSS intends to open other clinics of this type.
(Maxime Picard/La Tribune)
And, above all, it is a good way to leverage the expertise of highly qualified IPS in the public network, underline Ms. Gladu and Ms. Côté.
“It’s rewarding. We have the impression of really helping the population. Personally, it is the culmination of the path which leads to a beautiful autonomous practice of IPS,” believes the latter.
In its long-term vision, the CIUSSS plans to open other clinics of this type, but the establishment will give itself time to “get used to it” with this first, shares Julie Gladu.
