What do organizations like the CMA and OMA do exactly?

Sometimes, we don’t see the value in certain things until we lose them. Then we sit and bemoan their loss, but it’s too late. Then there are things around us we don't even notice, maybe because they don't do anything or we don't see what they are doing. But there is another category and the CMA and OMA are good examples After more than a decade I am still wondering what they do. I’m personally still unable to see what makes the CMA and OMA unique organizations, such that physicians can’t practice without them. If they were gone, would we miss them? They might be important. They may be helpful. But I am unable to see it. Is it about being a negotiator with the MOH for our contract? We know this negotiation had fallen apart numerous times and the MOH can impose a unilateral contract and neither the CMA or OMA nor physicians can stop that. Read: Patients as friends, friends as patients Is it about providing physicians with insurance? Although they give a reasonable rate, I don’t use them, which obviously means it can be obtained from somewhere else. Is it about organizing conferences and CMEs? Yes, they do organize good ones but many organizations do the same efficiently. Is it about constituting the non-insurance services? It was helpful but I don’t see it as a unique service and the MOH can do it alone. Is it about helping physicians invest their money and providing them with financial planning for their retirement? I’ve been told they’ve helped physicians with this. But this is a business not medicine. One may say it’s an investment in medicine. I might concur, but can it be done by another party and somewhere else? Yes, easily and efficiently. We pay an annual membership fee to the CPSO to get our license and to regulate our practice, we pay the CMPA to protect and support us against any complaints. I am wondering and eager to know what are we getting from the CMA and OMA reciprocally to pay them our annual membership fee? Read: Should we fire anti-vaxxer patients? Can these organizations reconsider their responsibilities and try to be unique leaders to defend doctors and protect them from any attack on their personal, financial, moral and scientific rights? I'm sure that physicians will be more happier to be part of the CMA and OMA if they stand for them in difficult situations. Letters of support, condemnations, condolences, congratulations, weekly emails etc. are not what physicians are looking for from an organization that charges them a significant amount of money annually as a membership fee. I'd appreciate if an ex-president of the CMA or OMA or any peer would reply and correct me if they disagree with my thoughts on this. Dr. Jabir Jassam is a family physician who works at Health Treasure Medical Centre in Ottawa. His views are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Medical Post or the Canadian Healthcare Network.

What do organizations like the CMA and OMA do exactly?

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