Healthcare Delivery

End of substance use and addiction program funding ‘very, very short-sighted’

On March 31, the federal funding for 22 safer supply initiatives across the country expired. Unless provinces step in, many patients will be left with few options.

Health, wealth and no one left behind

Like the early days of COVID-19, tariffs have the country rallying together and governments promising decisive action to help us weather the storm.

Ontario must address the autism crisis. 60,000 children are waiting for care

Despite billions allocated for autism services, many families are still waiting – sometimes for years. To fix Ontario’s autism services, we should redirect resources toward programs that have been proven to work.

To make health care better, we must hold on to our rage

We have perhaps gotten too used to hearing about health care underfunding and staffing issues. But we can't afford to stop talking about it.

New models of care are nice but funding is what we need

By aligning compensation for primary care professionals with the value they provide and ensuring fair recognition of their contributions, the health-care system can build a stronger, more equitable foundation moving forward.

Why health care should be the ballot box issue this election

Canadians have a lot to worry about right now. But as we vote in the government that will see us through this unprecedented time, health care must be core to the government agenda.

Health care and the Canadian election: What experts are hoping to hear

Canadian health-care leaders will be listening closely to what our federal politicians have to say on the campaign trail. This is what they hope to hear from candidates this election.

No reinforcements

Practising family medicine in a rural community is dire these days. It’s precarious for patients and stressful for physicians and there’s no one coming to save us.

‘We might die because you won’t wear a mask’: A plea to health-care workers

Yes, it’s time to mask again. We need to do better. We know how to do better. We can save so many lives and preserve the dignity of patients in the process.

Pregnancy with HIV: Breaking down barriers and overcoming stigma

Maria's experience highlights the need for better training on HIV management in maternity care. No woman should feel like an outsider or unwanted during the very time when she is bringing life into the world.

Death ‘is not a medical process. It shouldn’t be made one’: Suicide pod stirs controversy among right-to-die proponents

Sarco, the world’s first suicide pod, is stirring up controversy amongst right-to-die proponents as an ongoing criminal case takes place.

Is your doctor watching YouTube? The role of FOAMed in medical education 

Free Open Access Medical Education is a growing movement in the medical community aimed at enhancing medical education through online resources.

Guelph braces for ‘devastating impacts’ as supervised consumption site set to close

As Guelph’s only supervised consumption site prepares to close March 31, advocates warn people will die and the surrounding community will suffer.

Empowering choices: The importance of advance care planning

Advance care planning empowers individuals to have their health-care preferences honoured, offering peace of mind to both themselves and their loved ones. Yet, despite the importance of these conversations, many people delay or avoid them altogether.

‘The first time students see a patient of colour should not be in hospital’: The need for diverse patient actors

Advocate groups say increasing patient actor diversity is crucial to prepare Ontario’s future doctors to care for the province’s increasingly diverse patient population.

Statement from the CMA, CNA, CFNU: Attacks, abuse of health workers must not be tolerated

The reprehensible assault of health workers in Halifax last week is a harsh reminder of the dangers health professionals across Canada face while trying to provide quality care to patients.

The cost of lies: Misinformation is worsening mental health and eroding our social fabric

Political propaganda, amplified by social media and unscrupulous actors, has become a weapon of choice, wreaking havoc on mental health, public safety and democracy itself.

Dual HIV/syphilis rapid test aims to lessen stigma, reach underserved communities

As rates of syphilis and HIV continue to climb in Canada, a dual rapid test recently was approved by federal regulators, making it the second of its kind to become available in the country.

Patient Perspectives: Is patient experience finally having its moment?

Will this be the year that patient and caregiver engagement become a real thing? And how do we stay on course? Just ask someone with lived experience.

The importance of health-system navigators

Patients need to know where to turn to for help - and the province must support family doctors and patients in accessing system navigators.