All hands on deck in health care

In recognition of Red Tape Awareness Week, which took place from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, CMA co-authored an opinion piece with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business outlining the administrative burden affecting physicians across Canada.

The op-ed, published in the Hill Times on February 1 , posited that the health and well-being of physicians and patients hinges on our ability to untangle the bureaucratic web that currently constrains our health system, and the time is ripe for governments to take action.

Administrative burden is just one of many issues facing physicians. As burnout increases, ERs overflow and primary care deteriorates, millions of patients across Canada are still struggling to access care.

CMA President Dr. Kathleen Ross spoke to CBC's Power & Politics about the current health crisis, and how team-based care combined with strategic collaboration across Canada is key to making critical change.

The importance of cross-country collaboration

One year ago this month, the federal government made a historical investment in Canadian health. While we've made minor strides forward, the health system is still in desperate need of reform, and to emphasize this point the CMA collaborated with The College of Family Physicians of Canada to publish a joint op-ed , urging governments to act urgently.

Together we speak on behalf of physicians and medical learners across the country: health care providers can no longer be called upon to prop up systems that are on the verge of collapse.

A significant portion of the federal government’s investment depends on provinces and territories creating action plans and setting targets to strengthen their respective health systems, with accountability measures in place to monitor progress.

This month, we saw significant progress in this area.

On February 9th, Ontario signed their bilateral agreement with the federal government. British Columbia followed on February 12th, and then the Northwest Territories announcement took place on February 13th. Manitoba followed shortly thereafter on February 15th.

With Manitoba's bilateral agreement signed, we've passed the halfway point with 7/13 provinces and territories on board. Collaboration between all levels of government is critical to getting Canadians the care they need, and deserve.

Opposing efforts to restrict access to care

CMA released a statement in response to the Alberta government's proposed restrictions on gender-affirming treatments for pediatric transgender patients.

Any proposal that restricts access to evidence-based medical care is extremely concerning, and we firmly believe that all Canadians have a right to make personal choices about their health with the support of their families, the guidance of licensed, regulated health professionals and free from political interference.

We strongly urge governments to consult with health-care professionals — experts in their field — when considering policy changes related to health care.

Advocating for physician health

With burnout on the rise, there's no better time to talk about physician wellness.

The International Conference of Physician Health will take place from October 17-19 in Halifax. In collaboration with the American Medical Association and the British Medical Association , this event is a prime opportunity for physicians across the world to learn from each other, network, and connect on issues related to their health.

Abstract submissions are now open . If you have knowledge or educational content to share, be sure to submit before April 12.

Social Accountability in Medicine

Social accountability covers every aspect of medicine— from research and workplace culture to education and clinical practice. It reflects the communities we serve, with a particular focus on underserved communities.

In recognition of Black History Month, we spoke to Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi MD FRCPC ICD.D , a dermatologist in St. John's, Newfoundland about the importance of social accountability in medicine, and how we can evolve the profession to be more reflective of, and accountable to, Canada's diverse populations.