Just an Old Country Doctor
Blogs
- 10/21/2025
CFPC fails to learn its lesson, makes the same mistake again
Astounding that CFPC is aiming to set it up so membership dues go up automatically tied to the Consumer Price Index. - 10/14/2025
Expanded scope of practice will ultimately hurt patients
There has been a growing body of evidence over the years about how the idea of offloading ‘minor’ illnesses to non-physicians doesn’t achieve the benefits intended. - 10/10/2025
Expanded scope of practice will ultimately hurt patients
There has been a growing body of evidence over the years about how the idea of offloading ‘minor’ illnesses to non-physicians doesn’t achieve the benefits intended. - 10/7/2025
It appears family doctors are giving up
About one-third of the family doctors I spoke at a conference were at some stage of quitting family medicine. Given that Canada has six million people without a family doctor—which is already a disaster—it’s safe to say our healthcare system won’t survive if this happens. - 9/21/2025
Never ending arbitration seems to be our fate
Never forget that this protracted process is also because the current government doesn’t really have the capacity to understand the complexity of the healthcare system (and the complexity of how physicians get paid). - 9/5/2025
10 lessons they don’t teach in medical school (but should)
To all the new medical students, get ready for a great adventure. There will be times of joy and sorrow. If you are struggling at some point, remember that it is okay not to be okay. - 8/21/2025
Patient accountability is essential for healthcare systems
When patients are informed, engaged, proactive and use the health system appropriately health systems perform better. In contrast, passive and non-adherent patients who misuse healthcare will strain health systems. - 7/7/2025
MoH pleasantly surprises (!) and OMA disappoints in arbitration briefs
One of (if not THE biggest) issues for physicians these past couple of years has been the constant delays in getting the increases the Arbitrator awarded them in a timely manner. - 7/7/2025
The FHO+ model alone won’t save family medicine in Ontario
Last week, the Ontario Medical Association announced that they and the Ontario government had developed an enhanced model for paying family physicians. - 6/25/2025
What to look for in next week’s arbitration hearings on a deal for Ontario’s doctors
As I write this, it appears that once again, the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Ontario Medical Association have been unable to agree on a contract for physicians.