Family medicine groups (GMFs) have failed to make frontal health services accessible. This is the conclusion reached by Anne Plourde, researcher at the Institute for Socioeconomic Research and Information (IRIS), in a study published Thursday.
The GMF needed to improve access to family physicians [mais] we know [qu’ils] failed to improve [l’accès]said Ms. Plourde in an interview on the show Information first broadcast Thursday morning on ICI RDI.
According to researchers, the continued difficulty in accessing a family doctor clearly shows that GMF did not ensure better access to the first line, whereas this was exactly the mission entrusted to them when they were createdHe said in a statement.
The study ofIRIS shows that the ratio of patients cared for by physicians working in a GMF increased by only 2% between 2014 and 2021. However, the number of doctors in GMF will itself rise faster than the population registered in GMF between 2014 and 2019, statement explanation.
Reduced access to some services such as psychosocial consultation for people who are not registered with doctors GMFthe study says. Since their creation, the GMF however has benefited from significant financial and organizational support from successive governmentsadded Ms. Plourde.
He recalled that when they were created 20 years ago by the then Minister of Health and Social Services, François Legault, in addition to improving access, GMF it should also be made possible to remove the obstruction in emergencies. At this point, the researcher considers it also a failure.
It has been observed that in some cases, emergencies help GMFsaid Ms. Plourde in an interview. The small ones GMF tend to enter into agreements with other establishments [de santé] to provide them with services, especially at night and on weekendshe explained.
It’s hard to see how GMF may make it possible to remove the obstruction in emergenciescommented Ms. Plourde.
Medicine Inc.
One of the problems is the GMF is a doctor -centered modelsaid Ms. Plourde in an interview. 75% of GMF are private companies, mostly owned by doctors – but not alwayshe explained.
” We have a for-profit medicine that is evolving and not meeting the needs of the population in terms of access to family doctors and psychosocial services. “
In 2020-2021, $ 340 million was awarded to GMFwhich may attract some companies, believe inIRIS.
In her study, Ms. reported. Plourde that the transfer of professional resources to GMF resulted in the loss of some first-line psychosocial services offered by CLSC. Social consultations dropped 42% compared to the offer CLSCand psychological consultation fell 52%, according to the studyIRIS.
To the extent that the government wants to increase the duties of GMF and their finances,IRIS concludes that they have failed in their mission.
Source: Radio-Canada
