In partnership with AMS Healthcare, Healthy Debate is publishing a series of solutions-focused articles examining gaps in our health-care system. Focusing on the key strategic areas of technology, education, resource planning and health equity, we profile specific examples of change that can make our system better as we prepare for life after COVID.

The pandemic has lengthened wait lists, depleted resources and unmasked structural inequities in our health-care system. But it has also inspired rapid change and progress in what is usually a slow-changing environment. We hope this series fosters an open-ended discussion on how lessons learned can enhance the delivery of high quality, compassionate care.

Life after COVID
by Inori Roy

Medical council considering alternatives to ‘outdated’ licensing exam

The MCCQE II, a Medical Council of Canada licensing exam, is considered by some critics to be an outdated and unnecessary burden. Temporarily paused by the pandemic, the MCC will soon decide whether and how the exam will return - and what role it will play in the changing world of medical education.

Life after COVID
by Inori Roy

Sharing is caring – app aims to fill gaps in health-data infrastructure

Vaccination records in Canada have long been fragmented and decentralized, dragging the country's pandemic response capabilities with it. The digital immunization records sharing app, CANImmunize, takes a stab at filling these vital gaps in Canada's health data infrastructure.

Life after COVID
by Inori Roy

‘Data is powerful’: Demographic questionnaire adds transparency to Match Day

This year, the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) with the support of Dalhousie University, rolled out its pilot questionnaire to collect much-needed demographic data on residency placements across the country. Information gathered on race and Indigeneity, immigration, ability, gender, sexual orientation and household income of students could go a long way in ensuring equity among med students.

Life after COVID
by Inori Roy

National licensure, better virtual-care needed to fix system ‘close to the precipice’: incoming CMA president

Dr. Alika Lafontaine sat down with Healthy Debate to talk about the challenges facing our health-care system as it grapples with pandemic recovery.

Article
by Maddi Dellplain ... ...

Groundbreaking research into ME/CFS a pandemic ‘silver lining’

ME/CFS is a misunderstood complex chronic illness affecting more than 600,000 Canadians. For decades ME/CFS patients have been left without proper medical support. But now, with the wave of new post-viral illnesses from the COVID-19 pandemic, ME/CFS patients might finally see some answers.

Contributors

Inori Roy

Journalist

Inori Roy is a Toronto-based journalist and Associate Editor at The Local. Her work has also appeared in the Toronto Star, environmental journalism publications The Narwhal and Unearthed, and the CBC.

Maddi Dellplain

Digital Editor and Staff Writer

Maddi Dellplain is a B.C.-based journalist specializing in health reporting. Maddi works across multiple mediums with an emphasis on long-form features and audio-based storytelling. Her work has appeared in The Tyee, Megaphone Magazine, and more.

Winsome Adelia Tse

Winsome Adelia Tse is a creative artist, illustrator, and designer from Greater Toronto. Her works span a variety of media to tell stories about the monumental within the mundane.

 

This series was made possible with the support of AMS Healthcare.

 

Please also check out our previous series in partnership with AMS Healthcare, entitled Without Compassion, There is No Healthcare.  Each article covered an issue examined in-depth in one of the seven chapters of the book Without Compassion, There Is No Healthcare – Leading With Care in a Technological Age  with the lead piece being nominated for a national digital publishing award for best short feature.