Quebec Government Evaluates Changes to Family Doctor Allocation
The government of François Legault is considering changes to the allocation of family doctors in Quebec, aiming to better serve the most vulnerable citizens. According to sources, the plan under review has been in discussion for several months and focuses on prioritizing patients with complex or chronic health issues.
Under this proposal, Quebec residents in good health or with minor medical concerns would be directed to a revamped front-line access window (GAP), which would include all patients who don’t have major or moderate health conditions, even those currently assigned a family doctor. Only patients with conditions like cancer, mental health disorders, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes would continue to have access to a dedicated family doctor.
Although details about the implementation remain unclear, the plan aligns with the findings of a new report from the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS). This report, made public on Wednesday, reveals that around 500,000 Quebecers with significant health issues currently lack a family doctor. It recommends transferring up to 1.5 million appointments from patients with minor health concerns to those in more urgent need.
Health Minister Christian Dubé hinted at such changes during a recent interview, noting the need to adapt care to people’s specific conditions. He emphasized the importance of directing family doctors’ attention toward those most likely to experience serious health problems.
Negotiations between the Quebec government and the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) on this issue have been ongoing since May. The focus has been on improving care for vulnerable patients, and the new INESSS report will likely play a crucial role in shaping these discussions. The FMOQ has expressed a willingness to shift lighter cases to other healthcare professionals, allowing family doctors to focus on those with more serious conditions. However, concerns about how family doctors are compensated under this new model remain a topic of debate.
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