Quebec doctors have a new system to acquire patients. This GP says it's flawed
Quebec is overhauling the way doctors acquire patients in an effort to cut down on growing waiting lists.
Starting Thursday, new legislation goes into effect that will force doctors to primarily select patients through an online portal called the Quebec Family Doctor Finder – or GAMF.
It’s a problem, according to family physician Dr. Annick Gauthier, who has had problems acquiring patients through GAMF.
"One in two of the patients that the GAMF gave me did not need a family doctor, because they already had a doctor, they were dead, or they no longer lived in the province of Quebec," she said.
She said this has cost her a lot of time and money since each potential patient needs to be contacted.
"It’s such a waste of time and energy on the part of the GAMF, on the part of the doctor and the clinic trying to contact these people," she said.
Dr. Annick Gauthier said she has had problems acquiring patients through the GAMF.Quebec's health ministry told CTV News that each regional health board, or CIUSSS, has employees dedicated to continuously updating each region's list. They say it's also up to people on the waiting list to contact them if their information changes.
"It's crazy because I was contacted (by the GAMF) months after I’d already been set up with a family doctor," according to Ella Yee, who works as a medical receptionist. She said she sees the problem both from the side of patients and doctors.
"We get a lot of the blame for it, when really we're having the same issues as the patients we're serving," she said.
Dr. Guillaume Charbonneau of the Quebec Federation of General Practitioners (FMOQ) said he cautions new family doctors when they are looking for patients through the GAMF.
"I say to them if you want to have 30 new patients, I need to send you a list of 100 because otherwise you won’t be able to fill your spots," he explained.
He said he understands the government is trying to do something to meet the increasing number of Quebecers needing family doctors, but taking away doctors' discretion in how they acquire patients and forcing them to only use the GAMF won’t solve the problem.
The FMOQ estimates there’s currently a shortage of 1,500 family doctors, and warns in the next five years they’re expecting a wave of retirements.
"We have to make the system as fluid as we can. By putting out news rules, even with good intentions, unfortunately we create new problems," said Charbonneau.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.