Primary Care

‘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.

Regard sur les soins de première ligne au Québec: défis, solutions et priorités

Malgré certaines améliorations, des rapports publiés dans les dernières années indiquent que les soins de première ligne au Québec sont moins performants que ceux des autres provinces du Canada quant à l'accessibilité et la coordination.

Beyond stigma: Treating opioid use disorder

Stigma impacts all aspects of treatment for people living with opioid use disorder. We can work together to move beyond stigma.

Are we handcuffed by history?

There are multiple solutions to today’s challenges; more family physicians is not the only approach we should consider. We should not remain handcuffed by history.

Saving our health-care system calls for bold leadership, not privatization

Ontario's health-care system is speeding toward privatization. But what the system needs is bold leadership and direct action, not more for-profit interventions.

‘I’d love to see us rethink what we’re doing’: A Q&A in family medicine with Tara Kiran

Dr. Tara Kiran sits down to talk about Indigenous health, all things family medicine and the nation-wide OurCare survey results.

With rising interest rates and maxed-out loans, medical trainees are in desperate need of financial education

As the Canadian Medical Association retires its financial literacy program, Canada’s medical trainees are facing rising debt, often worsened by their poor understanding of how to handle money.

The future of human care: Why family doctors are more relevant than ever

With so many new technologies and practices changing how health care is delivered, do we even need family doctors at all?

Rescuing health-care providers from burnout. An essential next step for compassionate care

There are a number of ways we could hope to ease caregiver burnout. One physician reflects on the lessons he's learned in advance of AMS Healthcare's Conference on technology and health care (April 25).

Your teeth can reveal how much radiation you’ve been exposed to

Ontario Tech scientists team with dentists to measure life-long radiation exposure in people living close to nuclear power plants.

Blockchain and the future of medicine

Move over Bitcoin, blockchain is no longer just for cryptocurrency. The technology could improve transparency, trust and efficiency in health-care settings. But what exactly is blockchain and how do we make the best use of it in health care?

Reimagining primary care

The primary care system needs to be restructured and Canadians want to see reforms that support continuous relationships with their doctor or health team Let’s not be afraid to act on their recommendations.

Palliative pixie dust

Just as Disney World has grown and evolved, so must palliative care. The time for Ontario to update palliative care into the 21st century may have arrived.

Paying tribute to the good in our health-care system

There is immense work to be done in our fragile health-care system. But in honor of this World Health Worker Week, one patient living with bipolar disorder wants to pay tribute to all the goodness in health-care workers' hearts.

Connecting the dots: Standardizing EMR data essential to improving care, easing burnout

The developers and engineers at eHealth are aiming to ensure that as patients move through the health-care system, their information follows them. But there are still obstacles to the development of effective electronic medical records (EMRs).

Emergency brain surgery showed me the best of Ontario health care – and the worst

It’s true that when faced with a crisis, some of the best health-care professionals in the world are available to care for us. But that system is at its breaking point.