2024-11-04 00:36:00
The Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, announced on Sunday his intention to table a bill to oblige new family doctors and specialist doctors trained in Quebec to practice in the public network during the first years of their career.
However, he did not specify the exact duration of this requirement.
We are seeing an upward trend in the number of doctors trained in the public network who are opting for the private sector. Among the 22,479 doctors who practice in Quebec, 775 work exclusively in the private sector, which represents an increase of 70% since 2020, according to figures revealed by the Ministry of Health.
This trend is particularly important among new doctors, indicates the press release from the office of the Minister of Health, without providing statistics.
While too many Quebecers are still waiting to be treated, too many doctors decide, from the start of their career, to leave the Quebec public network. We will take steps to ensure that the population has access to the care for which they pay.
A quote from Christian Dubé, Quebec Minister of Health
Our government has the courage to take all necessary means to strengthen the commitment of doctors to the population and our public network. This measure is part of a series of other means to strengthen our public network and attract our professionals to work there from the start of their careers, he adds.
The office of the Minister of Health lists in the press release four measures adopted by the Legault government: reducing the paperwork that doctors must complete in order to give them more time with their patients, giving more powers to other professionals, such as nurse practitioners. specialists and pharmacists, gradually put an end to private health agencies and hire this staff within the public network and review the organization of work within the framework of collective agreements in order to improve access for patients.
The ministry emphasizes that the training of a doctor, including residency, costs Quebec taxpayers between $435,000 and $790,000 and that the number of places to study medicine is limited.
The Federation of Specialist Physicians of Quebec reacted to the announcement, saying it took note of this intention of the Minister of Health and said it was waiting to see the bill before commenting further.
That being said, we remind the government that the best way to retain specialist doctors in the public health network is to give them the means to provide care.
A quote from the Federation of Specialist Physicians of Quebec
Currently, the lack of technical platforms and personnel, among other things, too often prevents specialist doctors from practicing properly. And let us add that if this type of obligation were to apply to doctors, it should also apply to other health professionals, many of whom also leave the public sector for the private sector, she judges.
For its part, the grouping of Quebec Doctors for the Public Plan (MQRP) says it is satisfied that Minister Dubé finally recognizes that the exodus of doctors to the private sector is an issue that negatively affects access to care and the public system.
He believes that we must above all remove the existing pitfalls to practicing in the public system for new doctors and aim to bring all doctors back into the public system.
With information from Elyse Allard
With information from The Canadian Press
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**Interview with Dr. Anne-Marie Leclerc, Healthcare Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Leclerc. We just heard about Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé’s recent promises to focus on enhancing the public health care system. What are your initial thoughts on his proposed measures?
**Dr. Leclerc:** Thank you for having me. Minister Dubé’s intentions suggest a significant shift back to prioritizing the public health system, which is encouraging. The obligation for new doctors to practice in the public network during their initial years could help address the increasing trend of newly trained physicians opting for private practice.
**Interviewer:** He mentioned a lack of specifics regarding the duration of this requirement. How critical is that for the effectiveness of the policy?
**Dr. Leclerc:** That’s an important point. Without a clear timeline, it’s difficult to measure the impact of this initiative. If the duration is too short, it might not effectively retain these professionals in the public system long-term, which is essential given our current shortage of healthcare providers.
**Interviewer:** The statistics show a worrying trend with a 70% increase in doctors working exclusively in the private sector since 2020. What are some potential reasons for this shift?
**Dr. Leclerc:** Many factors come into play. The allure of higher salaries, better working conditions, and the reduced administrative burden in the private sector can be quite tempting. Additionally, the challenges and frustrations of working within a public system that is often underfunded can drive physicians towards private practice.
**Interviewer:** Dubé also spoke about reducing paperwork and empowering other healthcare professionals. How might these measures benefit the healthcare system?
**Dr. Leclerc:** Reducing bureaucratic red tape can be a game changer. It allows physicians to spend more time with patients, improving care quality. Empowering nurse practitioners and pharmacists, for example, can lead to a more collaborative approach in healthcare, maximizing the skills of all healthcare providers and thereby alleviating some of the pressure on physicians.
**Interviewer:** The Minister emphasizes that the cost of training a doctor is substantial. How does this relate to his commitment to the public healthcare system?
**Dr. Leclerc:** It underscores the investment that Quebec taxpayers are making in training these doctors. If newly trained physicians do not serve the public system, we are not seeing a return on that investment. This policy aims to ensure that the taxpayers get value for their money and that the health system has the resources it needs to serve the population effectively.
**Interviewer:** In closing, what do you think will be the key to successfully implementing these changes?
**Dr. Leclerc:** The key will be not just implementing these policies but ensuring that there is adequate support and resources to back them up. There should be ongoing assessments and adjustments based on feedback from healthcare professionals and the public. Ultimately, the goal should be to create a healthcare system that not only retains its professionals but also meets the needs of the population it serves.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Leclerc. It will be interesting to see how these initiatives unfold in Quebec’s health landscape.
**Dr. Leclerc:** Thank you! I’m looking forward to it as well.
