Would you pay to see a family doctor faster? Quebecers are, and critics are worried
include ensuring equitable access to care, improving wait times, and enhancing patient safety. The organization will also focus on improving coordination between different parts of the health care system, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
While Quebec’s move to regulate the growth of the private sector is a step in the right direction, concerns remain about the impact of private medicine on patient care. Dr. Leblanc and Dr. Ho both emphasize the potential risks associated with private medicine, including overdiagnosis and over-prescribing.
As more doctors in Quebec choose to work in the private sector, patients like Marlene Harper and her husband Keith Ball are left without a family doctor. Harper’s experience on a waitlist for over two years highlights the challenges faced by many Quebecers in accessing timely medical care.
The establishment of the GAP system was meant to provide temporary access to care for patients without family doctors. However, Dr. Potter notes that the system has its limitations, including the restriction of one health issue per visit and the strain it puts on family doctors already working in the public system.
The upcoming changes with the creation of Santé Québec offer hope for improvements in Quebec’s health care system. By focusing on equitable access, reducing wait times, and enhancing patient safety, the new Crown Corporation aims to address the challenges faced by both patients and health care providers in the province.
As Quebec continues to navigate the complexities of a growing private health care sector, it serves as a cautionary tale for the rest of Canada. The balance between public and private health care must be carefully managed to ensure that all patients have access to high-quality care when they need it most.
