New rules say Alberta doctors must provide after-hours care
The Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSA) says very few doctors in the province are providing the after-hours care they are supposed to offer their patients — so they’re making a few changes to the rules. Physicians will now be required to either collaborate with colleagues in an on-call rotation, or pursue a formal […]
Government regulation forcing family doctors out of Ontario
Michael Verbora has been completing his residency training with a family health team in Toronto for the last two years, but a new government maneuver won’t permit him to work there — or in Windsor, where he grew up. The provincial government had been trying to move away from the fee-for-service model that rushed patients […]
Tough for small communities to attract, retain physicians
Many rural areas find it difficult to attract doctors, but it can be even harder to keep them. The city of Powell River, B.C. has introduced a program called “A GP for Me,” which aims to help interested patients have access to a family doctor. There are close to 5,000 people in Powell River who […]
B.C. facing major family doctor shortage
Back in 2010, Health Minister Kevin Falcon announced that every British Columbia resident would have a family doctor by the year 2015. Yet today, more than 220,000 residents in B.C. still don’t have a family doctor. They rely on walk-in clinics for treatment, which means they face long line-ups and lack the continuity of care […]
A pharmacist responds to the notion of “playing doctor”
In pharmacist Andrew Schonbe’s response to a recent op-ed from Dr. Edwin Kruys, 5 little-known reasons why pharmacists should not be playing doctor, he fought back against Krys for “challenging progress and advancement in the expanded scope of pharmacy practice.” Schonbe described the piece as “alarming, albeit not surprising,” as well as “insulting” and “self-righteous,” […]
Proposed bill making medical students reconsider family practice
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 […]
