In the article entitled Doctors Slam Bill 20, written by Joel Ceascu, Dr. Michael Kalin describes how young female doctors will be penalized in Québec for working part-time. Family medicine is the ideal work environment for a women who want to practice medicine and raise a family at the same time. However Québec’s Health Minister, Gaétan Barrette doesn’t seem to want part-time doctors. He also doesn’t want doctors spending “too” much time with patients.
According to Dr. Louis, president of the FQOM, “bill [20] will impose unrealistic patient quota’s on each family doctor “. GPs need to spend a reasonable amount of time listening to patient concerns and then provide a proper treatment plan. Quality care cannot be measured in time spent with a patient. All healthcare professionals, like nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, speech therapists and not just doctors, need time to get to know a patient, assess their needs and then provide a plan. Imagine if the patient is vulnerable like an elderly person with many health problems or a patient living with a severe mental health issue. These patients cannot be rushed out the door, they need proper and often lengthy care.
Dr. Kalin is concerned that bill 20 will promote what he is calling ‘assembly line medicine’. This approach is not just a concern for doctors but for all healthcare professionals. Imagine taking time off work to go visit a professional who can only spend 5 minutes with you.
Montreal Nutrition 