The extreme pressures on our health-care system have renewed curiosity in revitalizing it.

While daring considering is required, we should guard towards unintended penalties.

Among the proposed options is one thing referred to as “pan-Canadian licensure,” which might permit a licensed doctor to work in each province and territory within the nation.

Currently, physicians are regulated and overseen by provincial and territorial our bodies. As an Ontario pediatrician, I’m a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario; with few exceptions, to practise elsewhere in Canada, I should be a member of that province or territory’s school.

The idea of permitting physicians to work anyplace in Canada has the endorsement of the Canadian Medical Association and different distinguished medical teams. The affiliation argues sufferers in addition to physicians could be higher served by pan-Canadian licensure, notably in rural and distant areas of the nation the place digital care may improve the provision of well being companies.

Data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) definitely reveals there’s a want for higher rural and distant service — Canada has the lowest rural physician density among comparable OECD countries.

But is pan-Canadian licensure a panacea or a Pandora’s field?

Comprehensive research on the consequences of virtual care is lacking. Research on the promise and pitfalls of virtual care is mixed. Episodic and fragmented care, the place there isn’t any continuity of care, could result in worse outcomes and extra expensive care.

In some circumstances, it may be extraordinarily handy and productive to go to a health care provider’s appointment from the consolation of dwelling. But drugs is an artwork in addition to a science, and refined clues which may be evident to a doctor at an in-person appointment could not come by means of on a pc display.

Moreover, the dearth of sufficient high-speed web in rural and distant areas is a major problem — a glitchy, low-quality connection is an impediment to patient-doctor communication and analysis, and other people with out the means to purchase a machine with webcam will once more be deprived.

Indeed, some health-care advocates counsel that digital care platforms may exploit a pan-Canadian licensure system to reap appreciable monetary rewards whereas offering little in the way in which of precise care. And higher mobility may see medical professionals gravitate in the direction of extra profitable work in city centres, leaving underserved areas much more bereft.

As a pediatrician for over 30 years earlier than my appointment to the Senate, I’ve devoted my profession to bettering the well being and well-being of kids throughout Ontario. Over these years, I’ve seen the well being system excel — and I’ve seen it falter. I do know that there isn’t any magic answer to our health-care woes.

I imagine that pan-Canadian licensure can assist to resolve some issues within the health-care system, however it would take greater than that to satisfy the primary goal of the Canada Health Act: “to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial and other barriers.”

There is a danger that politicians and well being leaders in search of to seem decisive and lively on the well being file will enact this one change and pat themselves on the again for his or her management — whereas ignoring different systemic issues.

In truth, the Ontario authorities just lately held a press conference trumpeting an “as of right” rule to permit Canadian health-care staff to work in Ontario instantly, wherever they’re registered.

The cloth of Canada’s health-care system is previous and fraying quick. Patches are now not sufficient. We should weave a brand new system — pan-Canadian licensure is however a single thread.

The Honourable Sharon Burey was appointed to the Senate in November after a distinguished profession as a behavioural pediatrician. She represents Ontario within the Senate.

This article was printed in The Hill Times on February 6, 2023.