A survey demonstrates that Quebecers are mainly agreeing with the idea of imposing conditions on doctors related to their remuneration and that too many omnipractians would work part -time.
The probe made by Léger Marketing on behalf of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) indicates that 69% of people are in favor that doctors impose on conditions because it is the government that pays them with taxpayers’ money. An even larger percentage agrees with an assessment of their performance.
The survey was carried out last June, but had not yet been made public. It must be said that the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, still had to defend this week his bill 106 which would make it possible to impose penalties related to the performance of doctors.
Christian Dubé, Minister of Health
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL OF QUEBEC
Showdown with doctors
Québec wishes to link 25% of their remuneration to achieving targets determined by the ministry, such as offering 18 million meetings annually.
In an open letter published on Wednesday, the president of the Federation of Omnipractian doctors of Quebec (FMOQ), Marc-André Amyot, asked for the withdrawal of the bill, saying that it opens the way to a “medicine fast food».
Dr. Marc-André Amyot, president of the Federation of Omnipractian doctors of Quebec
Chantal Poirier / JDEM
In April, the Federation had published its own survey indicating that 86% of Quebecers support the promise of a doctor for each Quebecer. The majority of them were resistant to losing their doctor for a group of appointed professionals.
“Anything that gives the impression of improving access to care, people agree with that, regardless of the solution,” says Éric Normandeau, Stratège Consil at Léger.
Too much part -time
The survey commissioned by the CAQ also indicates that 57% of people believe that past governments have too often sold before the doctors’ unions. The same percentage believes that too many family doctors are working part -time.
It should be remembered, however, that the opinions were collected when the government deplored the fact that too many doctors did not work on evenings and weekends.
“The CAQ manipulates statistics. To consider maternity leave and pensions as refusals to work is dishonest, “said the spokesperson for the FMOQ, Stéphane Gosselin. He indicates that doctors are ready to consider performance and quality of access indicators, but do not accept “alternative truths”.
However, the government does not intend to retreat. After the scathing defeat in Arthabaska, Prime Minister François Legault said that lack of access to public services was one of the points allegedly accused by the population.
“Quebecers tell us: they want better access to care when they need it. What our government offers to meet their needs with the bill is notably that the remuneration of doctors is linked to a minimum of results, to ensure that patients see an improvement, “said Minister Christian Dubé’s office.
