Primary Care

Toward a healthier pregnancy: Overcoming barriers to prenatal exercise

By participating in evidence-based prenatal physical activity, pregnant people can increase the likelihood of positive health outcomes for themselves and their babies.

Postpartum depression isn’t the biggest issue for mothers. Postpartum anxiety is

Postpartum anxiety is more than three times more prevalent than postpartum depression yet we hear about it far less often.

Sometimes the truth is unbearable

The health-care system is failing Canadians with lethal consequences. Policymakers need to make urgent changes now to address delays in access to care.

The case for a pan-Canadian licensure model

Canada’s workforce remains in crisis. With hospital overcrowding and staff shortages putting EDs at risk, pan-Canadian licensure is a crucial part of any plan to help ease the pressure.

Ontario’s rural towns in danger of losing access to health care as family doctors near retirement

Aging family doctors in Ontario’s smaller towns present a significant challenge to health-care access. The disproportionate distribution of doctors over age 65 in rural Ontario raises concerns about future shortages as these practitioners approach retirement age.

Lessons from Marathon: How to rebuild a broken local health-care system

What happens when small health-care systems in rural communities begin to unravel? What does it take to rebuild them when they reach a breaking point? We can look to the experience of the community of Marathon in 1996 for a glimpse of the challenge. 

Loneliness and hunger ache: Community group teaches medical students a valuable lesson

Loneliness and hunger were two major ravages of the pandemic. We need to link medical education with social determinants of health in order to bridge gaps in care.

Finding your energy envelope: Long COVID patients urged to ‘pace’ themselves back to health

For many long COVID patients, returning to activity can cause debilitating "crashes." But symptom management techniques like pacing can offer relief and may even help some patients slowly recover.

The real cost of not adopting universal pharmacare is Canadian lives

Pharmacare has not yet been implemented and the pandemic – and the supply and confidence agreement – only further entrenched Big Pharma’s power in Ottawa. But patients need access to life-saving medications.

The placebo effect: Rarely dramatic, but surprisingly consistent and adjustable

Battles are won in the trenches: Front-line health professionals must have the power to adapt

Generals may lead wars, but battles are won in the trenches. Now, more than ever, this same doctrine must be applied to our medical professionals on the front lines.

Judge people by their merits, not their measurements

People who are obese often experience discrimination at work, school and in health care. Protection in the form of human rights legislation could be a move in the right direction.

What is the price of human life? Cutting off uninsured is ‘irresponsible’

We strongly recommend that the Ontario government reverse its decision to eliminate coverage for medically necessary services for uninsured individuals.

Services de première ligne et équité en santé à l’ère numérique : défis et opportunités

Bien que les soins de santé au Canada soient publics, les individus à faible revenu rencontrent trop souvent des obstacles pour accéder aux services de santé, ce qui nuit à leur santé.

Challenges and opportunities for primary care and health equity in the age of technology

Even though health care in Canada is publicly funded, individuals with low incomes too often face barriers when it comes to accessing health-care services, which can adversely impact their overall health.

‘Bogus contract’ creating gulf between doctors, patients

There are unhealthy expectations built into the "bogus contract" between doctors and patients that overemphasize the power of medicine. At the same time, we are ignoring the relative importance of the precursors to good health.

The wellness profiteers of virtual health care

The virtual care industry has boomed in part due to the decline of primary care. But with it has come a host of wellness scams blurring the lines between evidence-based and unproven health-care remedies.

Uninsured health cuts and pregnancy: Why all Canadians should care

Many of the funding cuts to the uninsured will impact pregnant people. These health cuts are costly - not just to the burdens of the health-care system, but to our sense of humanity and fundamental Canadian values.

What will happen to Ontario’s uninsured? Experts weigh in

Adding to the list of lifted pandemic policies, Ontario will no longer cover the cost hospital services and physicians fees for the previously uninsured. Without OHIP for these groups, what can we expect to see? Is this the right move? Experts weigh in.

Examining Quebec’s primary care: Challenges, solutions and patient priorities

Despite some improvements, reports published in recent years suggest primary care in Quebec performs poorly compared to other Canadian provinces in terms of accessibility and coordination.