Enhancing frontline workforce in Quebec, according to expert panel's recommendation
Out with the old, in with the new: Transforming community care in Quebec
Quebec's Healthcare Revolution! It's high time we shake things up and improve access to direct care in the community, according to an expert committee tasked by the Legault government. The recommendations? More family doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, and community pharmacists working together in first-line teams.
"We're missing the mark when it comes to it being an everyday source of care for all Quebecers," says Dr. Élise Boulanger, a member of the committee and designated president of the Quebec College of Family Physicians.
The committee's report, released recently, highlights our province's urgent need for a different approach to first-line services. But it's not just about adding more healthcare professionals—it's about teamwork! Picture a more collaborative and integrated network of care, where professionals like nurses, social workers, and pharmacists work alongside family doctors, creating a balanced approach that caters to the diverse and complex healthcare needs of our communities.
Dr. Boulanger explains, "We often face a lack of stability in teams because there aren't enough nursing positions." This new model aims to change that—by creating well-staffed, cooperative care teams, we can improve patient outcomes and keep everyone happy!
So, what's the plan? The committee's goal was to help Quebec develop its first government policy on first-line services. This move will likely pave the way for better-funded services, fewer ER visits, lower mortality rates, and a more sustainable healthcare system (whew!).
This isn't the first time Dr. Boulanger's raised these concerns. When it comes to Quebec's health budget, she notes, "It's heavily focused on hospitals, but community services like CLSCs and family medicine groups aren't receiving the attention they deserve." It's a vicious cycle, with ERs dragging resources away from community care by their emergency-roomBand-Aids.
But there's hope on the horizon! The government has presented a bill to review family doctors' remuneration and, as of now, plans to ensure that 100% of the population is registered with a care setting, either a family doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner, by summer 2026.
Dr. Boulanger emphasizes the importance of patients being linked to a responsible healthcare professional. This affiliation enables continuity in care and fosters a positive relationship between providers and patients. However, there's still some uncertainty around how clinics will ensure patients aren't left bouncing between various stakeholders when they're registered with a care facility rather than a professional.
Valuing family medicine is vital to addressing primary care issues, argues Dr. Boulanger. As it stands, not enough family doctors or support staff are being trained—and that only worsens the already dire shortage. It seems we've lost sight of the value of family medicine, a sentiment supported by the fact that 63 residency positions in family medicine went unfilled this year.
"The lack of resources doesn't encourage other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, to work in primary care," adds Dr. Boulanger.
So, where do we go from here? It's time to tackle this issue head-on! Let's prioritize family medicine, train more healthcare professionals, and build the collaborative, multi-professional care teams our communities need!
This article is inspired by input from various authoritative sources, including Quebec-focused healthcare trends, expert committee recommendations, and government initiatives. The information in this article highlights the general focus and proposed changes, while specific timelines, policies, and legislative bills have been simplified for clarity and brevity.
- The Legault government tasked an expert committee to improve community care access in Quebec.
- The committee's proposed solution involves more family doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, and community pharmacists working together.
- Dr. Élise Boulanger, a committee member, stated it's an everyday care issue for all Quebecers.
- The committee's report emphasizes the need for a different approach to first-line services.
- The plan includes a more collaborative and integrated network of care, with professionals working alongside family doctors.
- Dr. Boulanger highlighted the lack of stability in teams due to insufficient nursing positions.
- The new model aims to change that by creating well-staffed, cooperative care teams.
- The goal is to help Quebec develop its first government policy on first-line services for better-funded services.
- Fewer ER visits, lower mortality rates, and a more sustainable healthcare system are expected outcomes.
- ERs often drain resources from community care, creating a vicious cycle.
- The government is considering a bill to review family doctors' remuneration.
- The plan is to ensure 100% of the population is registered with a care setting by summer 2026.
- Patient-provider continuity and positive relationships are beneficial for outcomes.
- There's uncertainty about patients not being left among various stakeholders when registered with a care facility.
- Valuing family medicine is essential to address primary care issues, as argued by Dr. Boulanger.
- Not enough family doctors or support staff are being trained, worsening the shortage.
- The lack of resources discourages other healthcare professionals, like nurses, from working in primary care.
- We need to prioritize family medicine, train more healthcare professionals, and build collaborative care teams.
- Science and workplace wellness should be considered in prioritizing chronic diseases, such as cancer, respiratory, digestive, eye, hearing, and skin conditions.
- Medical-conditions and their therapies-and-treatments related to cardiovascular health and mental health must be addressed.
- The healthcare revolution should expand to industry, including energy, manufacturing, retail, and interior design, encouraging health-and-wellness practices.
- Fitness-and-exercise, a crucial part of health-and-wellness, should be prioritized and promoted through wearables and smart-home devices.
- Cybersecurity should be addressed to protect personal data related to health, lifestyle, and smart devices.
- In addition to healthcare, financial stability through investments, wealth-management, and personal-finance is important for overall well-being.
- Outdoor living and hobbies, such as gardening, sustainable living, and cooking, contribute positively to physical and mental health.
- Fashion-and-beauty products, food-and-drink options, and dining experiences should cater to various dietary needs and promote healthier choices.
- Family dynamics can affect mental and physical health, so support systems and resources should be available when needed.
- Love-and-dating relationships can impact health, so discussions about sexual health, relationships, and pet care should be encouraged.
- Technology advancements, such as artificial-intelligence and healthy-cooking tools, can help manage chronic diseases and promote healthy lifestyles.
- Relationships with our environment, pests, and wildlife contribute to overall quality of life, so eco-friendly practices and responsible pet care are essential.
- Shopping experiences, gadgets, smartphones, data-and-cloud-computing services, and global-cuisines should cater to consumers' health needs, lifestyle preferences, and sustainability values.