Hello Healthwatchers!
Welcome once again to The Weekly Dose, your trusted source for the latest in healthcare news.
This week: the family physician shortage ramps up, signs of life in the pharmacare negotiations between the Liberals and NDP, and my thoughts on what is going to be the next big Canadian election issue. Read on.
Canada faces family doctor shortage amid historic population boom
Canada's rapid population growth outpaces the increase in medical residencies, leaving over 6.5 million without a family doctor.
Why it's important: The number of new med school graduates in 2023 hasnāt budged much from where it was 10 years ago. Of these, less than a third go on to become family doctors, a historically low proportion.
Despite Canada's population growing by 5 million in the last decade, only 167 new medical residency spots were created during this time. Thatās quite the mismatch. The situation is worsened by a healthcare system already under intense strain, with many physicians nearing retirement. There is also a shift underway of new doctors away from family medicine. Itās been postulated that this relates to rising tuition costs and debt driving residents into more lucrative specialties. Solutions like expanding medical school capacity, forgiving school debt and subsidizing tuition (or capping it), and utilizing foreign-trained doctors are all being explored and likely to play a role in reshaping the landscape. The roles of RNs, NPs and pharmacists are also seeing scope-expansions in some provinces in an attempt to fill the access gap more quickly, though not without detractors and controversy.
Read moreā¦
Doctors say an anesthesiologist shortage is what's delaying surgeries across Canada
Anesthesiologist shortages have led Alberta to pause its transplant program, impacting patients and amplifying concern over the sustainability of health services.
Why it's important: Much ado is made over surgical wait times, and this is a big contributor. As provinces scramble to ābring down wait times,ā we should ask; are new policies helping, or actually making the problem worse?
The pandemic has intensified the shortage, with a wave of mass-burnout leading to a spate of early retirements. While the Canadian Anesthesiologist Society calls for streamlined licensure for foreign-trained specialists, the situationās urgency calls for more immediate and multi-pronged action. Investing in the training of more anesthesia assistants and elevating alternative designations could effectively support the strained anesthesiologist workforce and bring wait times down. Policymakers must be cautious here, making sure reforms don't worsen the shortage by diverting anesthesiologists out of public hospitals (see Ontarioās Bill 60). Any shifts should enhance resource allocationāincluding human resourcesāto the public healthcare system.
Read moreā¦
Unpacking the complexity of hospital governance in Ontario
The history of Torontoās hospitalsāa tale of community spirit, political tussles, and influential familiesāoffers a compelling exploration for those keen to understand the roots of Ontarioās healthcare governance challenges.
Why it's important: This Healthwatch Original delves deep into the past, offering key lessons for contemporary healthcare governance. Itās essential reading for anyone ready to engage with the complexities and drive reform.
This piece by Terra Loire is a story that reveals the interplay between community mobilization and the influence of prominent families like the Eatons, as well as the evolving role of hospitals from purely private entities to pillars of public health. As we navigate the present-day tilt towards privatization and the financial duress of hospitals across Ontario, echoes of the past are ringing loud and clear. Hospitals are more than healthcare providersāthey are community cornerstones that thrive on democratic involvement and suffer when community voices are sidelined. The lessons from Torontoās hospital history highlight the need for policies that ensure fiscal sustainability, support public healthcare, and foster community engagement, to prevent history's missteps from repeating.
Read moreā¦
The family doctor shortage is hitting some communities hard
In Sault Ste. Marie and Midland, Ontario, doctor shortages are causing significant disruptions, with 10,000ā14,000 patients losing access to primary care this week.
Why it's important: The shortage of family doctors along with frustrations around systemic inefficiency are causing some doctors to scale back their practices or close them outright.
Sault Ste. Marie's Group Health Centre is dropping 10,000 patients due to a shortage exacerbated by retirements and burnout. This drastic measure reflects the dire state of primary care, where systemic challenges deter new graduates from family medicine, and administrative burden overwhelms current practitioners. In Midland, Dr. Alia Ali's practice closure due to burnout adds another layer to the problem. Her story shines a light on the additional hurdles foreign-trained doctors face, despite their potential to ameliorate the primary care crisis. Both cases remind us of the urgent need for systemic reform in primary care. Policies must encourage physician retention and streamline integration of internationally trained medical professionals. These issues, mirrored nationwide, demand a response that prioritizes the sustainability of primary care and places high value on the role of family physicians.
Read moreā¦
Pharmacare Update: NDP Pushes Libs for Essential Medicines Coverage
In the ongoing pharmacare discussions, the NDP has asked the Liberals to initiate coverage for several essential medicines.
Why it's important: This development is a pivotal step towards a comprehensive national pharmacare system, aiming to balance immediate population health needs with long-term policy development.
The NDPs latest ask emphasizes the urgency of addressing immediate public health needsāand perhaps obtaining a tangibile political wināwhile the Liberals appear more focused on a long-term policy rollout. While the Liberals reportedly agreed to cover fewer than five drugs, the details and timeline are unclear. The NDP's approach, advocating for a universal, public, single-payer system, contrasts with the Liberals' emphasis on fiscal prudence. The ongoing debate highlights the fact that Canada is unique among our peers for lacking a public prescription drug plan within our universal healthcare system. The NDP's call for a phased-in gradual approach mirrors the historical rollout of Canada's healthcare system and shows the need for a balanced strategy that marries immediate healthcare improvements with sustainable, long-term policy development and adoption.
Read moreā¦
New polling reveals growing concern around healthcare
A recent Leger survey unveils significant apprehensions among Canadians over healthcare, highlighting concerns over access, quality, and the balance between public and private care.
Why it's important: The survey results point at the potency of healthcare as an emergent political issueāperhaps the issueāleading up to the next round of provincial and federal elections.
With a significant portion of the population expressing dissatisfaction with the state of healthcare, this issue is poised to become a central focus in upcoming political campaigns. The findings on public sentiments about healthcare access, quality, and the role of private clinics indicate that health reform will likely be a major battleground in forthcoming provincial and federal elections. Political parties and candidates will need to address these concerns comprehensively. With only 28% of respondents viewing their provincial healthcare as āgoodā, and a staggering 70% worried about accessing quality medical care, the need for substantial changes is more than evident. The survey's insights into public opinion offer a guide for policymakers in addressing the healthcare challenges that Canada faces.
Read moreā¦
As we conclude this week's edition, I am sincerely grateful for your engagement with these crucial healthcare issues, and with me. Hearing back from so many of you with your perspectives and experiences has been incredibly enlightening and rewarding.
If you have thoughts, queries, or personal experiences youād like to discuss, feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Until we meet again next week, stay alert, knowledgeable, and active in influencing the direction of healthcare in Canada.
Yours in health,
Nick Tsergas
National Health News Editor
Canada Healthwatch
[email protected] | canadahealthwatch.ca