Cost of merging 10 health districts jumps to $9M
Nova Scotia’s government projected the merger of 10 district health authorities into two health authorities would cost around $6 million, but the actual costs have exceeded $9 million in the fiscal year of 2014-15. The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union obtained an access to information request that contained the shocking new figure. PC […]
Atlantic Health Ministers Work Together to Improve Health Outcomes
CanAm’s perspective: Great to see the Atlantic Provincial Health Ministers working together. CanAm was hoping to see a discussion on the merging of Province Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons. Minister Doug Currie on PEI clearly spoke out on his frustration and stated the need to have such conversations in July this year when Dr. Dawson […]
Doctors trained in LGBT health not always available
Many members of the LGBT community admit they avoid seeking medical attention because of fear of discrimination. But when they do decide to discuss an issue with a doctor, it’s quite possible that the doctor hasn’t been adequately trained to meet their needs. The results of a study at UCLA show that a “startling low” […]
Government regulation forcing family doctors out of Ontario
Michael Verbora has been completing his residency training with a family health team in Toronto for the last two years, but a new government maneuver won’t permit him to work there — or in Windsor, where he grew up. The provincial government had been trying to move away from the fee-for-service model that rushed patients […]
Proposed bill making medical students reconsider family practice
Medical students in Quebec are shying away from family practice because of a pending bill that would limit their time with patients. Quebec introduced Bill 20 last fall, which would slash income for family physicians unless they meet a patient quota — and various other obligations. The bill would require all general practitioners to take […]
Medical schools preparing to cover assisted suicide
Although medical educators have always taught future healthcare professionals that it’s immoral to end someone’s life on purpose, they’ll be changing their tune in accordance with Canada’s move towards legalized physician-assisted death. Canada’s 17 faculties of medicine are in the process of updating their curriculum to cover assisted dying for the next generation of doctors. […]
New push for straight talk between doctors, patients about end-of-life care
Lauran Neergaard, The Associated Press Published Monday, March 23, 2015 12:26PM EDT WASHINGTON — Dr. Angelo Volandes remembers performing rib-cracking CPR on a frail elderly man dying of lung cancer, a vivid example of an end-of-life dilemma: Because his patient never said if he wanted aggressive care as his body shut down, the hospital had […]
Canadian hospitals profiting from foreign patients raises questions of ethics
Could a for-profit sector that allows foreign patients to be cared for in Canadian hospitals be the financial cure for this country’s cash-strapped universal health care system? That is the question being posed by a series of programs that have taken place, or continue to operate in Canadian hospitals. Critics think that treating medical tourists for cash […]
Introducing our refreshed Canadian Royal College Strategic Plan, 2015-2017
Last October, Royal College Council approved a refreshed strategic plan that outlines our key result areas (KRAs) for 2015-2017: Competent physicians Health, health care and health systems Innovation, research and scholarship Value of Fellowship International outreach Responsible stewardship These KRAs should be recognizable to most members, as KRAs one through five were the basis of […]
Nurse Practitioners Soon Able to Discharge Patients from Hospitals
March 24, 2015 Government has amended the Hospitals Act to allow nurse practitioners to discharge patients from hospitals. The amended regulations will also allow registered nurses to assess, treat and release some patients in emergency departments and collaborative emergency centres. Currently, only physicians, midwives and dentists can release patients from hospitals. Nurse practitioners and registered […]
