Engaged on the path of palliative care, this resident of Sainte-Julie suffers in particular from acute heart failure and diabetes.
Mr. Corbeil has received the diuretic Lasix a few times in recent months during hospital stays. An injection given by a doctor at his home would allow him to avoid returning to the emergency room and, possibly, a new hospitalization.
The problem is that neither the palliative care nurse at the CLSC des Seigneuries, in eastern Montérégie, nor the family doctor at the private seniors’ residence where he lives are able to give him this injection.
The nurse at CLSC would have suggested in particular that he move to Longueuil, where the CLSC local has a full medical team, or consider accepting a place in a palliative care home in Boucherville.
: “So let’s see, what’s the joke?” They ask us on full television to try to stay as much as possible at home as long as we are able. […] I’m capable”,”text”:”My ass was on fire, I said: “Come on, what’s the joke?” They ask us on full television to try to stay at home as much as possible as long as we are able. […] I can””>My ass was on fire, I said: “Come on, what’s the joke?” They ask us on full television to try to stay as much as possible at home as long as we are able. […] I’m capable
he says.
Now a widower, Mr. Corbeil has the privilege of being accompanied by two longtime friends, Michel Therrien and Renée Savignac.
It is I who must, with the speakers at my disposal, try to find a doctor so that he can receive the famous Lasix at home and I no longer have any solutions!
says Ms. Savignac.
The ex-manager seems shocked by the complexity of the steps to be taken to allow her friend Robert to end his days at home.
« I am aware that I will disappear. Will you go to my party, Christmas or Valentine’s Day next year? I do not know […]but I want to stay here. »
According to the most recent data, 44% of the 58,800 users who received palliative and end-of-life care last year received it at home.
Quebecers are not all equal when it comes to obtaining palliative care. In Montérégie, for example, some CLSCs do not have a doctor to provide end-of-life care at home, whereas the one in the area next door does. Unevenness, sometimes a few kilometers away. A problem that we find almost everywhere in the province. A report by Davide Gentile.
Au CISSS of Montérégie-Est, it is recognized that no doctor is assigned to home support CLSC Lordships, but it is asserted that partnerships and measures are in place to provide palliative care that requires medical follow-up
, writes spokesperson Caroline Doucet. Physicians would make themselves available as needed.
CISSS is in constant recruitment effort”,”text”:”The CISSS is in constant recruitment effort””>The CISSS is constantly recruiting
says Ms. Doucet. However, in recent years, with the increased promotion of first-line care (GAMF, GAP, reorientation P4-P5) following ministerial orientations, family physicians, in practice or new graduates, who have responded to the call have also reduced their availability in the other sectors of activity.
Regional disparities
For the president of the Quebec Society for Palliative Care, Dr. Olivia Nguyen, there is a shortage of palliative care physicians throughout Quebec.
Dr. Olivia Nguyen, President of the Quebec Society for Palliative Care
Photo : Radio-Canada
« Unfortunately, the reality is that there is always a sort of postal code lottery and, depending on the territory where you live, the palliative care you would like to receive are not equivalent. Therefore, there is a great inequality according to the CLSC [près desquels] we reside. »
For Quebec palliative care veteran Dr. Geneviève Dechêne, it is unfortunate that patients like Mr. Corbeil have to overcrowd hospitals
to receive certain treatments.
Dr. Geneviève Dechêne, home medical team, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.
Photo : Radio-Canada
CLSC from Verdun [à Montréal] who require intravenous diuretics […]. A nurse can’t give it if she doesn’t have a doctor who can be called at all times and makes house calls”,”text”:”Every day, we have patients followed by the CLSC de Verdun [à Montréal] who require intravenous diuretics […]. A nurse can’t give it if she doesn’t have a doctor on call at all times who makes house calls””>Every day, we have patients followed by the CLSC from Verdun [à Montréal] who require intravenous diuretics […]. A nurse can’t give it if she doesn’t have a 24/7 doctor who makes house calls.
she explains.
The organization of palliative care CLSC de Verdun allows the majority of patients to end their days at home.
On a Canadian scale, Quebec remains the province where the percentage of deaths outside of a hospital setting is the lowest at 23% compared to an average of 45% in Canada.
