¿Québec planea redirigir médicos a grupos vulnerables? ¿Cambio de opinión en puerta?

Quebec’s health minister, Christian Dubé, has recently attempted to reassure the public regarding their family doctors. A controversial proposal surfaced, suggesting the redistribution of physicians from healthy patients to vulnerable populations, which sparked concerns among Quebecers. However, Dubé took to X in French on Thursday to convey that Quebecers who have family doctors will keep them, emphasizing the province’s commitment to improving access and simplifying front-line care organization for all Quebecers.

The proposal, as outlined in a report released on Oct. 9 by the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS), examined scenarios to address the family doctor crisis in Quebec. One scenario suggested that healthy individuals could lose their registration with a family doctor, freeing up 1.5 million appointment slots to serve vulnerable patients. Despite the proposal lacking concrete plans, it raised concerns among healthcare professionals.

Dr. Marion Dove, a family physician and associate professor at McGill University, criticized the proposal, highlighting its potential negative impact on patient care and physician burnout. She emphasized the importance of the relationship aspect in healthcare and expressed concerns about the proposed categorization of patients based on their health status.

Opposition parties demanded clarity from Dubé regarding the potential repercussions of the proposal on millions of Quebecers. Concerns were raised about the access to basic healthcare services and the impact on patient-doctor relationships. The Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec commented on the scenario, stating the importance of prioritizing vulnerable patients without compromising access based on administrative categorizations.

In response to the proposal, Canada’s Health Minister Mark Holland emphasized the role of provinces and territories in healthcare service delivery. The report highlighted the challenges in meeting the healthcare needs of the population due to an aging demographic and physician retirements.

The report proposed categorizing Quebecers based on their health status, with different categories requiring varying levels of care. It also shed light on the disparities in healthcare access between registered and non-registered individuals. Dove underscored the importance of continuity of care and the detrimental effects of reallocating doctors to unfamiliar patients.

She proposed solutions such as reducing the administrative burden on family physicians to enhance patient care and increase doctor-patient ratios. Administrative challenges were highlighted as a significant factor contributing to physician burnout and the shortage of family physicians in Quebec and other provinces.

As discussions continue on the future of family doctor care in Quebec, healthcare professionals and policymakers are urged to consider the holistic impact of proposed changes on patient well-being and healthcare sustainability. Finding solutions that prioritize patient-doctor relationships and streamline administrative processes could lead to improved access and quality of care for all Quebecers.