Primary Care

‘We strongly urge the Premier to reconsider’: Statement from Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the Alberta Medical Association

Organizational accountability in medical errors

Providers often find themselves at the forefront of accountability, facing repercussions for a sequence of events that result in patient harm. By evaluating system considerations, we can associate individual behaviours with preventable measures that can be implemented to mitigate safety incidents.

OurCare Quebec: ‘Patients are frustrated and afraid of what is to come’

Like most Quebecers, I'm worried about our failing health-care system. We as patients are left feeling frustrated and afraid of what is to come.

Resolutions and solutions: Health-care experts set goals for 2024

In a time of upheaval and undoubtedly significant professional strain, we wanted to know what health-care experts themselves had on their New Year’s resolution lists.

Yes, Alykhan. There is a Santa Claus

After reflecting on the state of health care in Canada, family physician Alykhan Abudulla begins to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. He writes to the editor in search of answers.

Holiday wishes for our beleaguered health-care system

Health-care workers and experts share their wishes for Canada's health-care system this holiday season.

Lose the calculator: Physician champions weight-inclusive care rather than calorie counting

Katarina Wind is a family physician in British Columbia who has her patients focus on healthy behaviours without setting a goal of weight loss or gain.

Financial side-effects of treatment can be devastating in our ‘free’ health-care system

Health-care providers must also begin to take proactive steps to ensure that patients are not only aware of the medical side effects of their care and treatments, but the financial side effects, too.

Innovation challenge rewards ideas to ease workplace crisis

Desperate to retain health-care workers and reduce burnout, a non-profit health agency is offering monetary prizes for workers to come up with innovative ideas to ease the workplace crisis.

Lessons in patient partnership from a patient and health communications expert

Organizations that prioritize patient voices while championing equity, diversity and inclusion stand to gain immensely in not only enhancing their reputation among their patient communities, but also in leading the way as models for other institutions to follow.

OurCare Manitoba: System is nearing collapse but we have faith it can be changed

The Manitoban primary care system is at risk. We cannot just stand to the side watching as issues mount. We need change now, while we can still turn things around. Here's how we fix it.

Clinic offers a ‘one-stop shop’ for brain care

The Brain Medicine Clinic – a novel clinical model that is a “one-stop shop” for diagnosis, symptom management and treatment – is serving those who don’t have a clear home elsewhere in the health-care system.

Diabetes management has come a long way but barriers to effective treatment still exist

With their ability to provide continuous, painless monitoring, sensor-based glucose monitoring systems empower individuals living with diabetes to make informed decisions regarding their nutrition, activity and medication. But there are still barriers to their widespread use.

Expanding access to physiotherapy will help break logjam in primary care

Lack of access to primary care is a constant theme in health-care discussions. Incorporating physiotherapists into primary care teams could help reduce the backlog of patients seeking care for musculoskeletal problems.

Financial toxicity: The relationship between cancer and poverty

Beating cancer doesn't always mean patients will lead healthy and fulfilling lives. They also face the challenge of staying out of the poverty cycle and debt traps throughout the course of their treatment.

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.