Came across an interesting piece in the paper recently, which nicely summarized many of the key challenges our healthcare system is facing. While the ultimate point of the article is to question the wisdom of increasing privatisation in our current system, I think the even more profound realization is that: Canada and the United States share a much more similar healthcare system than most would like to believe. As Canadians, we are tremendously …
On Florence Nightingale: The Ladies with the Lamps.
It is difficult to imagine modern hospital care without the nursing profession. In fact, the very first hospital in Canada was created by Augustine nuns (who, practically speaking, were nurses) in 1639: the Hôtel-Dieu in Québec City, which still functions to this day. Much like how William Osler is celebrated in medical antiquity for physicians, Florence Nightingale is widely accepted as the founder of modern nursing. Her contributions in the Crimean War earned …
Arbitrated nursing wage increases – a double edged sword?
At the beginning of the month, an arbitration decision finally came out after a locked negotiation battle between Ontario’s nurses’ union and the Ontario Hospital Association: despite initial threat of a decrease in wages, nursing wage increases will be 1.4% annually over the next 2 years. And rightly so – no one can argue against appropriate compensation for one of the most essential elements of acute hospital care. In fact, some would say this isn’t nearly …
The new ‘Distracted Driving Law’ and Preventative Health Care
Guest post by Chris F. Effective March 18, 2014, the new ‘distracted driving law’ increased the fine for using hand-held devices while driving to $280 from $155. But, there is more to come! Transportation Minister Glen Murray has introduced a new comprehensive legislation to tighten up transportation laws on everything from pedestrians, truckers, motorists and cyclists. These changes are supported by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), the Ontario Trucking Association and Share the …
Teaching Young Doctors about Healthcare Beyond the Bedside: A Novel Program
Residency training in Canada is considered one of the most robust in the world. Medical knowledge and clinical skills introduced in medical school are put to the test in the real world, and refined over many years under the supervision of experienced staff physicians. However, traditional residency programs underemphasize many of the non-clinical aspects of medical practice. In fact, a quick poll of residents within our own Royal College Emergency Medicine training program …
Transitions, collaboration and a whole new world view.
Guest post by Linda B. My life, as of late, has gone through a huge transition. As transitions go, it’s been a good one and actually relatively smooth but I have felt a bit disjointed. This week I stumbled upon a blog by Dr. Strader discussing thoughts on physician service. His thought is that the true requirement of a physician is to be a thinker. Solve the problem. Determine the next course of …