Boutique primary care clinics are making the family doctor shortage worse
"In Canada, where universal health care is a cornerstone of our values, we are facing a primary care access crisis. The problem is multi-faceted and not just due to a decline in the number of licensed family doctors for the first time since the mid-1990s. The role of private primary care “boutique clinics” – and their effects on access and equity in the public system – must be considered."
Recently, a recruiter approached me with an enticing job offer: an income of $390,000 to $450,000 annually, plus a $50,000 signing bonus, to care for just 400 patients (a typical full-time panel is more than 1,200). The catch? This role was at a boutique clinic, operated by “one of Canada’s most recognized brands” and has clinics in B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland. The recruiter told me that the clinic offers a combination of “insured” services –regular family doctor visits covered by the public system – and “uninsured” services paid for by the patient via extra fees. These uninsured services, I was told, included “comprehensive health assessments” that focus on “prevention and wellness.”
Read more in link"
@auscandoc
#Canpoli #Healthcare #Canada #Health
https://healthydebate.ca/2024/12/topic/boutique-primary-care-clinics-family-doctor-shortage/
"In Canada, where universal health care is a cornerstone of our values, we are facing a primary care access crisis. The problem is multi-faceted and not just due to a decline in the number of licensed family doctors for the first time since the mid-1990s. The role of private primary care “boutique clinics” – and their effects on access and equity in the public system – must be considered."
Recently, a recruiter approached me with an enticing job offer: an income of $390,000 to $450,000 annually, plus a $50,000 signing bonus, to care for just 400 patients (a typical full-time panel is more than 1,200). The catch? This role was at a boutique clinic, operated by “one of Canada’s most recognized brands” and has clinics in B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland. The recruiter told me that the clinic offers a combination of “insured” services –regular family doctor visits covered by the public system – and “uninsured” services paid for by the patient via extra fees. These uninsured services, I was told, included “comprehensive health assessments” that focus on “prevention and wellness.”
Read more in link"
@auscandoc
#Canpoli #Healthcare #Canada #Health
https://healthydebate.ca/2024/12/topic/boutique-primary-care-clinics-family-doctor-shortage/
Boutique primary care clinics are making the family doctor shortage worse - Healthy Debate
Boutique clinics are not the future of health care. They are a step backward and are making primary care access worse.Maddi Dellplain (Healthy Debate)
