The College of Physicians read with interest the testimony entitled “A doctor for Christmas” signed by Louis-Paul Lazure, as well as all the comments published following this text.2.
First, the College wishes to clarify that it does not block access to the medical profession. We are for the government to increase the number of medical admissions. Furthermore, the College also wishes to emphasize that it is in no way obstructing the general deployment of specialized nurse practitioners (SNPs). On the contrary, in recent years, we have worked together with the Order of Nurses of Quebec so that SNPs can engage in new professional activities that are beneficial to the population.
Greatly concerned about the issue of accessibility to health care, last May we published the Working Group report on access to a doctor and cessation of practice3in which we propose several concrete actions to improve the care pathway for Quebecers.
For several months, we have been highlighting the fact that the inclusion of other health professionals alongside family physicians would broaden access to the front line.
The primary mission of the College is to ensure that physicians provide quality care. But for the College, quality medicine also means medicine that is accessible. In this sense, we will continue to actively collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the other professional orders in the field of health so that the proposed recommendations are put in place for the benefit of patients.