Quebec wants to force new doctors to work in public system after graduating

Quebec’s health minister, Christian Dubé, has announced plans to introduce a new bill aimed at retaining newly trained family doctors and medical specialists in the public healthcare system. The proposed legislation would require these healthcare professionals to dedicate the initial years of their careers to serving the public sector.

Dubé expressed concerns about the growing number of doctors opting to leave Quebec’s public healthcare system shortly after starting their careers. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the population has access to the healthcare services for which they are paying.

While specific details about the proposed requirement, such as the duration of service in the public system and whether exclusive work in that sector would be mandatory, remain unclear, Dubé highlighted the objective of strengthening the public healthcare system through this measure.

According to data from the Health Ministry, a significant proportion of physicians in Quebec, particularly new practitioners, are choosing to work exclusively in the private sector. This trend has raised concerns about the availability of timely medical appointments for patients in the public system.

The cost of training a physician in Quebec ranges from $435,000 to $790,000, underscoring the significant investment made by taxpayers in developing the healthcare workforce. In response to reports suggesting the reallocation of family doctors to prioritize care for vulnerable populations, Dubé clarified that this idea is still in the preliminary stages and subject to further discussion.

The Quebec College of Physicians recently released guiding principles advocating for a temporary halt to the expansion of private healthcare services. The Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec echoed the importance of equipping medical professionals with the necessary resources to deliver quality care within the public system.

While some healthcare advocacy groups, such as Médecins québécois pour le régime public, welcomed the government’s recognition of the challenges posed by physician migration to the private sector, opposition party Québec Solidaire argued that the proposed legislation falls short of addressing the broader issue. Vincent Marissal, a QS representative, emphasized the need for comprehensive measures to address the exodus of physicians from the public healthcare system.

As discussions continue around the implementation of this new bill, stakeholders in Quebec’s healthcare sector are grappling with the complex dynamics of balancing public and private healthcare delivery to ensure equitable access to quality medical services for all residents.