SAGE
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An initiative of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG)
Thank you For Participating in the 2012 SAGE Survey!
What is SAGE 2012?
SAGE 2012 was a short survey that was conducted during the week of April 16th – 20th to provide a snapshot of how long Canadians wait for digestive and liver disease consultation and procedures. Specialists recorded 4-5 data points on at least five new, consecutive consults and five new, consecutive procedure patients (outpatients only).
Who Participated?
Gastroenterologists and internists specializing in gastroenterology.
Why is SAGE Important?
In 2005 many clinician CAG members participated in PAGE Wait Times Program to provide ground breaking national data on wait times for digestive health care, which ultimately secured the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology’s (CAG) position within the federal Wait Time Alliance.
In 2008 CAG designed the Survey of Access to GastroEnterology (SAGE) program to provide a snapshot of wait times related to the 18 non-urgent indications referenced in the Canadian consensus on medically acceptable wait times for digestive health care. Survey findings identified that median wait times for gastroenterology services continue to exceed recommended targets and have significantly worsened since 2005. Project findings were published in the 2011 Wait Time Alliance report card.
The CAG continues to explore the issues behind excessive wait times in order to ultimately improve access. The SAGE 2012 survey was the same short survey as done in 2008 (with two additional questions added) and will provide us with a current snapshot of wait times allowing us to compare results and identify trends.
What is SAGE 2012?
SAGE 2012 is a short survey that will be conducted during the week of April 16th – 20th to provide a snapshot of how long Canadians wait for digestive and liver disease consultation and procedures. Specialists will record 4-5 data points on at least five new, consecutive consults and five new, consecutive procedure patients (outpatients only). Data may be submitted online or by fax.
Who Can Participate?
Gastroenterologists and internists specializing in gastroenterology are requested to participate, provided they record the date that patients are first referred.
Why is SAGE Important?
In 2005 many clinician CAG members participated in PAGE Wait Times Program to provide ground breaking national data on wait times for digestive health care, which ultimately secured the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology’s (CAG) position within the federal Wait Time Alliance.
In 2008 CAG designed the Survey of Access to GastroEnterology (SAGE) program to provide a snapshot of wait times related to the 18 non-urgent indications referenced in the Canadian consensus on medically acceptable wait times for digestive health care. Survey findings identified the median wait times for gastroenterology services continue to exceed recommended targets and have significantly worsened since 2005. Project findings were published in the 2011 Wait Time Alliance report card.
The CAG continues to explore the issues behind excessive wait times in order to ultimately improve access. The SAGE 2012 survey is the same short survey as was done in 2008 (with two additional questions added) and will provide us with a current snapshot of wait times allowing us to compare results and identify trends.
How Does It Work?
Interested physicians should contact the CAG National Office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , toll-free: 1-888-780-0007 or fax: 905-829-0242) to advise that they will take part and to specify how they will complete the survey (online or on paper). Prior to April 16th, registered participants will be emailed the URL to the encrypted survey or the paper forms, as preferred.
The survey includes ten one-time, physician demographic questions, four questions per consult and five questions per procedure patient (less than 1 minute per patient entry). See attached paper survey.
We strongly encourage participants to use the online system so to avoid the need for data entry and to facilitate rapid analysis and reporting.