Psychologists and neuropsychologists are acting to demand better access to psychological care in the public network and better working conditions to prevent the exit of professionals to the private sector.
The Coalition of Psychologists of the Quebec Public Network (CPRPQ) organized a demonstration Sunday afternoon in Dorchester Square, in Montreal, to hear its requests from the government.
His main request was to change the law on bargaining units in the social affairs sector to create a union of psychologists in the public network in the hope of curbing the shortage.
Currently, the voice of those working in social services, health and education has been drowned out in more than a hundred work groups and distributed to four central trade unions, the president said. CPRPQ.
” We only have a compulsory doctorate, so we start working at age 30. This is not considered from a salary point of view. Our particular interests and issues cannot be brought to the negotiating table. “
Higher salaries are the top motivation for psychology graduates to choose private over public, according to a survey. Next come the questions inherent in professional autonomy.
The lure of the private sector
About 75% of doctoral students go directly to the private sector at the end of their studies, Drs. Gauthier, working in a pediatric hospital.
In addition, in the first five years of their careers, more than 40% of graduates who chose public institutions finally decided to opt for the private sector, the Coalition president added.
The public network should recruit all doctoral students to maintain the same current level of staff, according to the workforce image of the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
In the health network alone, there will be a shortage of nearly 900 psychologists by 2023, according to CPRPQ.
This lack of staff leads to significant delays before a meeting with a psychologist on the public network.
From six months to two years waiting
The wait takes an average of six months to two years, but it is often longer, Dr. laments. Gauthier. The consequences can be serious if the psychologist or neuropsychologist does not intervene at the right time with a patient.
It can range from the increasing complexity of issues to suicide attempts and deaths, Drs. Gauthier. This will urgently improve access for the most vulnerable.
Last October, the CPRPQ submitted a brief to the government in which it presented a plan to improve access to psychologists. It proposed an investment of $ 155 million by hiring 450 psychologists as well as a salary catch-up of 30%.
In return, Quebec will manage to achieve annual recurring savings of $ 383 million in terms of surgeries and medical visits, in particular, according to the group’s calculations, which seeks better recognition in the profession.
The Coalition of Quebec Public Network Psychologists is a non-profit organization with more than 1,200 members.
Source: Radio-Canada