Canadians are pessimistic about their healthcare system. More than two-thirds of them believe their condition will not improve in the next two years, according to a recent survey of 5,010 Canadians conducted by the Angus Reid Institute on behalf of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).
According to this survey, only 26% of Canadians believe the healthcare system is “in excellent or very good condition,” down from 48% in 2015.
“Canadians are unhappy,” says the DR Jean-Joseph Condé, spokesman for the AMC and member of the board of the association. “Federal, state and territory governments really need to work together to improve the healthcare system. Otherwise we are headed for disaster. We are very concerned. »
In Quebec, a quarter of respondents say they do not have a family doctor and another quarter say they have difficulty getting an appointment with their family doctor. In Canada, 19% of respondents say they do not have a family doctor and 29% have difficulty seeing their family doctor.
These results do not surprise DR Condé, who practices in Val-d’Or. “There is a shortage of staff. The network needs to address an aging population with more comorbidities that require more complex care. Ultimately, there is an increase in the need for care and a decrease in the supply of services,” he explains.
According to the survey, top health priorities for Canadians include 24-hour access to emergency rooms, shorter wait times for surgeries and a shorter waiting list for a family doctor.
Train and find staff
The CMA urges governments to train more health workers and take action to recruit and retain professionals in the public system. We must also “try to delay retirement,” says the DR Conde. “What does it take for that? We must improve the quality of life in the workplace. The nursing staff must be able to develop in the facilities. »
He recalls that doctors spend 10 hours a week filling out “paperwork,” time they could devote to patients. “We need to stop the faxes and papers,” adds the DR Conde. We need to be 100% computerized. »
When asked about the reform by Minister Christian Dubé, the DR Condé replies that the Quebec government needs to watch out for “irritants.” “Our most valuable asset in the healthcare network is our human resources,” he says. “For the plan to be a success, it is important to avoid this plan causing irritation that could push health workers into retirement or into the private sector. »
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