Daily news details the demise of the general practitioner in the delivery of medical services in sa国际传媒 The most recent example: The Yates and Quadra Medical Clinic has just announced that it might have to close by summer (two MDs are leaving the clinic and the economic viability of the business is in jeopardy).
Many complex solutions have been proposed without any concrete improvement in physician numbers. And everyone has their hand out for government funds.
The latest provincial budget lists climate change and housing as primary concerns. Because people are dying on waiting lists and the current trend line is moving in the wrong direction, it is time for this government to change direction.
The solution does not require a degree in rocket science. First, government must understand that health care is on life support. Motherhood and apple-pie declarations do not address the seriousness of this emergency.
Few incentives motivate graduating medical students to choose general practice. Many graduates have huge debt loads, have spent many years in training, and have awesome daily responsibilities dealing with life-and-death issues. Most merely wish to practise their chosen profession in an environment where they feel respected and needed and properly remunerated. Currently, they are underpaid, overworked and over-stressed.
More medical school graduates, higher pay (near that of specialists) and reduced bureaucratic administrative duties seem to be in order. It is long past time for governments to make it so.
John Billett
Victoria
