Primary Care

Including social workers in mental health care is a win-win for patients and providers

Primary care is one of the most common ways people access mental health treatment in this country. But with limited access to primary care providers, more patients are likely to slip through the cracks. Integrating social workers into primary health care teams could help.

National dental program leaves the vulnerable behind, critics say

The federal government is about to embark on the largest investment in oral health in Canadian history. But critics say this landmark investment may not reach the people who need it most.

Anxiety vs. stress: The right definition will lead to better mental-health care

Conflating stress and anxiety in medical settings can have serious implications for patients. New research on "social prescribing" could pave the way for more effective treatment.

Naturopathic doctors: Underutilized partners in public health and primary care

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) have an important role to play in the health-care system. We need a pilot project to assess the viability of ND integration into team-based primary care models.

There is no quick fix for chronic pain but there is a path forward

Patients need to be at the centre of their own care, and they need to manage their pain for what it is, a chronic disease. The time to reimagine chronic pain care is now – we can’t afford not to and the millions of suffering Canadians can’t afford to wait.

Canada’s diverse caregiving community in dire need of federal strategy

Canada is a nation of caregivers. But caregivers and care recipients alike are at risk for burnout. We need a concerted policy response that meets caregivers where they are.

‘I want to finally start living my life’: Added residency year for family practice draws criticism

A three-year family practice program will almost certainly exacerbate the current primary care crisis. For Canadians, this will result in fewer family doctors practicing community care and less access to preventative care, cancer screenings and treatment of chronic diseases.

It’s not all pretty in pink: To prevent breast cancer, let’s stop missing the forest for the trees

Breast cancer rates, even among young people, are on the rise. For this Breast Cancer Awareness month, there's more we could be doing to prevent the disease before it starts.

We must change our mindset about our health-care system

No system, public or private, can cover all the health needs and wants of every person all the time. It's time for difficult conversations about our health-care system.

Beyond birth control: The benefits of universal contraception don’t end at pregnancy prevention

Contraceptives are a key part of health care for half of Canada's population and their benefits extend beyond family planning alone. It is time to expand universal contraception to the entire country.

Yes, patients and caregivers are experts

Does being a patient make you an expert on your condition? Does formal education and credentials to comprehend a disease outweigh the rigor of experiencing life with the disease? There may be more room for patient-expert buy-in in health care decisions.

Are mask mandates in health-care settings justified?

No public-health measure has resulted in as much controversy as face coverings. For a universal masking requirement in health-care settings to be acceptable, decision-makers must situate it within the context of public-health ethics to determine whether these mandates are justified.

Another year? Yes. Make it a good one, and share it with specialists, too.

Adding another year to the family practice residency may be controversial, but it is a good idea. All students, residents, clinicians, the system and, most importantly, patients would benefit from a more complete education of all doctors.

We cannot teach ourselves out of a failing system

The College of Family Physicians of Canada's expansion of training will demoralize and financially penalize early career physicians. Education will not address systemic and structural barriers to comprehensive practice.

Enhancing dental care for children with autism spectrum disorder: Simple changes for a positive experience

Children with conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder can carry a higher risk for dental decay due to obstacles with both in-home hygiene practices and dental office visits. But there are ways to enhance dental care for these kids.

Citizen engagement vital if we are to solve our primary-care crisis: OurCare Nova Scotia panelists

Nova Scotia’s primary health care is in crisis. The OurCare Panel in Nova Scotia came up with a series of recommendations on how to fix it.

Pharmacist prescribers fill important gaps in the Canadian healthcare system

Pharmacist prescribing provides a win-win outcome for patients, health-care professionals and the health-care system as a whole.

Will we let the fires of 2023 keep burning?

In our safe country, we “react” to disasters like the forest fires or flooding with exorbitant efforts and resources after the crises. But we also lose track of key commitments to civil society and human progress.

We need to talk about public and private health care in Canada

With the system under significant strain, we have to re-examine how we fund and deliver health-care services. What this means for Canada's public health-care system is yet to be seen.

Access denied: Pandemic highlighted issues in accessing sexual and reproductive health for persons with disabilities

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a number of people with disabilities missing health-care appointments due largely to health and safety concerns on transit. But there are measures we can take to provide accessible, disability-affirming care.