Medical Practice News

Patient complaints on the rise in Ontario: ombudsman
Among the issues highlighted in the report are that many patients don’t feel heard; the need to improve discharge protocols in emergency rooms; use of force for challenging behaviours; and a lack of trauma-informed obstetrical/gynecological care.
Sick of sick notes: B.C. limits when employers can request sick notes
A government statement says that under new employment standards regulations, an employer can’t ask for a note for the first two health-related absences of up to five consecutive days in the same year.

How Canada can regain its measles elimination status

On Monday, the Pan American Health Organization revoked the measles-free status Canada has had since 1998 because an outbreak of the virus across several provinces has lasted for more than a year.
Canadian patients and physicians get a new accurate, one-stop database for cancer clinical trials

Canadian Cancer Society and Quebec Clinical Research Organization in Cancer (Q-CROC) launch a reliable source for cancer trials being carried out in Canada. It even includes a staffed hotline.
Quebec proposing legislation to eliminate certain paperwork for physicians

Specifically, the Legault government aims to eliminate ‘the requirement for a medical prescription for reimbursement of services provided by insurers, such as physiotherapy.’
CFPC members reject automatic inflation-linked dues hike at annual meeting

Two-thirds vote down proposal to increase fees in perpetuity.
New Brunswick hospital ordered to pay man $5K because staff didn’t speak French

Paul Ouellet identified 13 separate instances, between May and August 2020, when he said staff were unable to serve him in French.
Five potential recruits in talks to join Kamloops hospital after ob/gyn resignations

In addition to recruiting efforts, Interior Health says it is also in talks with obstetricians and gynecologists who quit to get them to return.
Ont. doctor faces four-month suspension for failing to disclose criminal charges

Doctor failed to notify the college that he was charged with criminal offences on his annual renewals—one of which resulted in a guilty verdict.
As many as 13,000 foreign-trained doctors unable to work in Canada due to bureaucracy, Royal College estimates

There could be as many as 13,000 more doctors practicing in Canada if it were not for the licensing restrictions on internationally trained physicians, the Royal College of Physicians testified before a House of Commons committee