Medical students in Quebec are shying away from family practice because of a pending bill that would limit their time with patients.
Quebec introduced Bill 20 last fall, which would slash income for family physicians unless they meet a patient quota — and various other obligations.
The bill would require all general practitioners to take on a minimum of 1,000 to 1,500 patients — depending on their years in practice — and complete a minimum of 12 hours per week of hospital-based work, which means appointment times would need to be cut down significantly. If a doctor fails to meet those targets, they pay could be cut by up to 30 per cent.
Two medical students decided to email a questionnaire to students of Quebec’s four medical schools, and 46 per cent of the students who had intended to go into family practice responded that they wouldn’t have make that choice after Bill 20.
Many medical students choose to enter into family practice because they want the close patient/doctor relationship, but Bill 20 would significantly limit the time they would have with their patients.
H/T Montreal Gazette
