Prescription for Primary Care

Rural Doctors: On the Frontlines of Canada's Healthcare Crisis

Episode Description:
In this episode of "Prescription for Primary Care," we sit down with Dr. Alex Nataros, a full-service family physician from the North Island Community Health Centre in Port Hardy, British Columbia, to discuss the critical challenges facing rural healthcare in Canada.
Dr. Nataros provides firsthand insights from the northern tip of Vancouver Island, offering a compelling look at the realities of rural medical practice and the systemic issues affecting healthcare delivery in remote communities.
Key Points Discussed:
State of Rural Healthcare
Current physician distribution trends in Canada
Impact of declining family medicine numbers on rural communities
Challenges specific to practicing in Port Hardy and similar remote areas
Healthcare Team Dynamics
Role of nurse practitioners in rural settings
Importance of team-based care approaches
Integration of allied health providers
Medical Education and Training
Evolution of the 'rural pipeline' concept since 2012
Initiatives for encouraging rural practice
Commitment to training the next generation of providers
Solutions and Recommendations
Need for increased family doctor training
Importance of reducing administrative burden
Implementation of programs like British Columbia's LFP program
Guest Information
Dr. Alex Nataros serves as a full-service family physician at the North Island Community Health Centre in Port Hardy, BC, bringing valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities in rural healthcare delivery.
You can find Dr. Nataros on Facebook and Twitter - @Alex Nataros MD
Data Sources
Rural and remote doctors are burning out. What will it take to help them?
CMA - Does Canada have enough doctors?
Chami, G. (2012). The Rural Medicine Conundrum: Steps in the Right Direction, and the Difficult Road Ahead. UBC Medical Journal
CIHI - Physicians

Challenging the CMA's Stance on Employer-Funded Care with Dr. Brian Rotenberg

Episode Description
In this compelling episode, we sit down with Dr. Brian Rotenberg to discuss the controversial draft policy recently released by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) regarding private healthcare and employer-funded care.
Dr. Rotenberg, whose LinkedIn post sparked some attention, shares his insights on why he believes the CMA's stance is misaligned with the needs of both physicians and patients. We explore the implications of this policy for millions of Canadians and the potential for positive change in the healthcare system.
Key Points Discussed:
Dr. Rotenberg's LinkedIn Post
Overview of the CMA's draft policy and its implications
Contradiction between the CMA's stance and its own survey data
Call for action to sign the petition against the CMA's policy
CMA's Controversial Draft Policy
Examination of the CMA's position against private healthcare and employer-funded care
Discussion on how this policy could affect healthcare access
The Petition: "Ask the Canadian Medical Association to reverse its stance on employer-funded care"
Impact on Canadian Healthcare
Need for Healthcare Reform
Discussion on the stagnation of healthcare in Ontario and Canada
Exploration of potential solutions and the courage needed for change
Guest Information
Dr. Brian Rotenberg is a Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University (London, Canada) and Residency Program Director for the department.  He is also Chair, Medical Advisory Committee at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. 
Useful Links
Dr. Brian Rotenberg's LinkedIn Post - https://tinyurl.com/bde7cdxz
Petition: "Ask the Canadian Medical Association to reverse its stance on employer-funded care" - https://lnkd.in/gghPEeHr
Canadian Medical Association (CMA) - https://www.cma.ca/
To reach Dr. Rotenberg - https://surgicalservicesltd.com/how-we-help/ and https://surgicalservicesltd.com/our-team/dr-brian/ 

Physicians in the AI Era, Roundtable Discussion

In this episode, we dive into how AI is transforming the field of medicine with Dr. Jordan Vollrath from Cherry Health. Join us as we explore the evolving role of physicians in the age of technology and discuss how medical specialties might shift towards more procedural tasks.
Key Points Discussed:
Impact of AI on Physician Productivity: How AI tools are streamlining workflows and increasing efficiency.
Evolving Physician Roles: The potential shift towards procedural tasks and away from traditional history gathering.
Balancing Human Touch and Technology: The ongoing importance of human interaction in patient care despite technological advancements.
Future Specializations: Anticipated changes in medical specialties as AI takes over routine tasks and data analysis.
Educational Implications: How medical training might adapt to prepare future physicians for working with AI.
Guest Information:
Dr. Jordan Vollrath, Cherry Health
Dr. Jordan Vollrath offers a unique perspective on the integration of AI in healthcare and its implications for the future of medical practice.
Key Takeaways:
Physicians will need to adapt to new AI-driven workflows.
AI may lead to a shift towards more specialized, procedural roles.
Balancing the technological and human aspects of patient care will remain essential.
Medical education will evolve to include AI training.
Useful Links:
Cherry Health
Healtheon
 
Stay tuned for more engaging discussions on the future of health innovation.
Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and share with others passionate about the evolving world of healthcare.

Health Reform Now with Colin Craig

In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges facing the Canadian healthcare system and explore potential solutions highlighted in the documentary "Health Reform Now."
Our guest, Colin Craig, from SecondStreet.org discusses their documentary, and the importance of learning from better-performing healthcare systems around the world and the need for political will to implement change.
Key Points Discussed:
Current State of Canadian Healthcare
Shocking statistics: 17,032 patients died on waiting lists between April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023
Canada's low ranking in international healthcare system comparisons despite high spending
Proposed Solutions from "Health Reform Now"
Activity-Based Funding: Incentivizing hospitals to treat more patients
Partnering with Private Clinics: Examples of success in Ontario and Saskatchewan
Reimbursing for Surgery Abroad: Learning from the EU's "Cross Border Directive"
Allowing Choice Between Public and Private Options: Common practice in other developed nations
Focus on Prevention: Potential to prevent up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke
Resources for Patients
Introduction to patientoptions.ca: Helping patients navigate both public and private healthcare options in Canada
Role of Think Tanks and Entrepreneurs
Importance of organizations like SecondStreet.org in proposing and advocating for healthcare reforms
Recognition of entrepreneurs working to connect patients with healthcare options
Learning from Other Countries
Discussing successful healthcare policies from around the world that Canada could adopt
The need for political will to implement these changes
Useful Links:
Documentary - Health Reform Now
SecondStreet
PatientOptions.ca
Healtheon
Guest Information:
Colin Craig, President of SecondStreet.org
Colin Craig has worked in the field of public policy for two decades and has helped shape government decisions at the municipal, provincial and federal level.In 2018, he was hired as President of SecondStreet.org and played an instrumental role in launching the organization. Colin oversees the organization’s groundbreaking research and storytelling activities, and is the host of their television show – On Second Street (you can find it on The News Forum channel).
Prior to launching SecondStreet.org, Colin worked for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), a non-profit taxpayers’ watchdog organization. During his time with the CTF, he led the organization’s efforts to convince the federal government to draft and pass the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. Colin was also instrumental in exposing corruption during the construction of the City of Winnipeg’s police headquarters project. While working for the CTF in Alberta, he exposed and helped discontinue the City of Calgary’s golden retirement bonus scheme, helped reform council’s pension system (the mayor’s second pension is being phased out) and helped the CTF convince a majority of voters to vote “no” during Calgary’s Olympic bid plebiscite.
Colin has an MBA and a degree in economics from the University of Manitoba. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee medal in 2022 by the Premier of Alberta. Colin is the author of “The Government Wears Prada”  and contributed several chapters to the eBook Life After COVID. Email: colin@secondstreet.org
Stay tuned for more episodes exploring the future of health innovation. Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and share this important conversation with others who care about the future of Canadian healthcare.

Innovating Healthcare Delivery with Physician Assistants

In this episode of "Prescription for Primary Care," our speakers discusses the role of physician assistants in primary health care. Guest speaker, physician assistant, Portia Mielnik, examines how physician assistants can impact primary care delivery in Canada. The conversation explores common misconceptions about the profession, the collaborative nature of their work with family doctors, and how physician assistants can help improve access to care and reduce wait times for patients.
 

New Tech and AI in Health Care, Roundtable Discussion

In this episode, our Healtheon panel discusses technology and artificial intelligence in primary health care. Moderated by Ziggy Hafeez, Josh Steinberg (VP of Business Development, Healtheon) and Dr. Abdulla (Family Physician) examine technology and artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector can impact primary care in Canada. 

Transforming Healthcare: The Role of Nurse Practitioners

In this episode, Tanya Dodaro leads a discussion about the critical roles that nurse practitioners can play in alleviating the strain on the Canadian primary healthcare system. CEO of the Nurse Practitioners Association of Manitoba (NPAM), Ashley Carruthers, and Nurse Practitioner and Cindy Fehr, on the board of directors of NPAM and policy consultant, clarify the roles and scopes of practice that NPs have, and why NPs can be another solution to help address the cracks in primary healthcare.  Join us for an insightful look at the challenges and potential solutions for improving Canadian primary healthcare accessibility.
 
To learn more about the Nurse Practitioners Association of Manitoba, visit their website at https://nursepractitioner.ca/.

Survey Reveals Canadians' Frustration with Primary Care Access, Roundtable Discussion

In this episode, our Healtheon panel discusses the recent OurCare survey findings on Canada's primary care challenges. Moderated by Tanya Dodaro, Ted Berlad, Ryan Tso and Dr. Raymond Rupert examine the deep frustration among Canadians regarding access to primary care. They explore key issues like struggle for timely appointments and care, fewer medical students choosing family medicine, and some strategy into fixing a complex problem. Join us for an insightful look at the challenges and potential solutions for improving Canadian primary healthcare accessibility.
 

Canada Ranks Last in Primary Health Care Access Among 10 Wealthy Countries, Roundtable Discussion

In this episode, our diverse Healtheon panel featuring Dr. Alykhan Abdulla, Josh Steinberg, and Lorne Solway dives into the recent findings from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. The discussion centers on Canada's troubling position as the lowest-ranked country in access to primary health care among high-income nations. Gain insights from the CIHI report, explore the implications for Canadians, and hear actionable strategies proposed to enhance accessibility to essential health services. Join us for an insightful examination of the challenges and opportunities in Canadian primary healthcare.

The Inception of Healtheon, with Founder and CEO Dr. Raymond Rupert

In this episode, Dr. Raymond Rupert shares his journey from transforming his own family practice to becoming the founder of Healtheon. Discover how Healtheon is revolutionizing primary care with cutting-edge technologies and team-based care models. Dr. Rupert explains how these innovations significantly reduce administrative burdens, enhance patient experiences, and ensure timely access to specialist care. He also reveals Healtheon's financial sustainability model, which helps clinics stay open, enabling family doctors to focus on providing high-quality care and bridging the primary care access gap in Canada.