Pessimism in Canada about the health care system

2023-08-17 14:00:15

Canadians are pessimistic regarding their health care system. More than two-thirds of them believe their condition will not improve over the next two years, according to a recent survey of 5,010 Canadians by the Angus Reid Institute and commissioned by the Association Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

According to this survey, only 26% of Canadians consider that the health care system is “in excellent or very good condition”, compared to 48% in 2015.

“Canadians are dissatisfied,” says the D^r Jean-Joseph Condé, spokesperson for the AMC and member of the association’s board of directors. “The federal, provincial and territorial governments really need to work together to improve the health care system. Otherwise, we are headed for disaster. We are very worried. »

In Quebec, a quarter of those surveyed say they do not have a family doctor and another quarter say they have difficulty getting an appointment with the one they have. In Canada, 19% of respondents say they don’t have a family doctor, and 29% struggle to see theirs.

These results do not surprise the D^r Condé, who practices in Val-d’Or. “There is a shortage of staff. The network must treat an aging population with more comorbidities, which require more complex care. We end up with an increase in care needs and a reduction in the supply of services,” he explains.

According to the survey, Canadians’ top health priorities include 24/7 access to emergency rooms, shorter wait times for surgery and a shorter waiting list for a family doctor.

Train and find staff

The CMA urges governments to train more health care workers and put in place measures to recruit and retain professionals in the public system. We must also “try to delay retirements”, thinks the D^r Conde. “For that, what does it take? We must improve the quality of life at work. The nursing staff must be able to flourish in the establishments. »

He recalls that doctors spend 10 hours a week filling out “paperwork”, time that they might devote to patients. “We will have to stop the faxes and the papers, adds the D^r Conde. We will have to be 100% computerized. »

Asked regarding the reform of Minister Christian Dubé, the D^r Condé replies that the Quebec government must pay attention to “irritants”. “Our most precious asset in the health network is our human resources,” he says. “For the plan to be a success, it must be avoided that this plan causes irritants which might push the health personnel towards retirement or the private sector. »