Health researchers, educators and administrators. Three-quarters are graduates of a Canadian medical school, while almost one-quarter are from foreign medical schools. A report by the Canadian Institute of Health Information in 2019 stated that the growth in medical graduates was outpacing the growth of the population of Canada and that the average gross income of physicians in Canada was $345,000 before office costs and taxes. In spite of those statistics, the shortage of family doctors is unacceptable. Governments are being pressured to take action and Ontario Premier Doug Ford has just announced a significant increase in funding for more medical student positions, more residency positions for post-graduate training and the future establishment of another medical school in the province. In response to the shortage of available family doctors, various services have been made available. Nurse practitioners are now licensed to diagnose and treat certain common conditions and work on site in a doctor’s office, or in more remote communities where no physician is available. Nurses, registered nursing assistants, dieticians and mental health personnel are taking onmore responsibilities in the doctor’s office in terms of providing primary health care. During the pandemic, some provinces initiated government-paid fees for telephone consultations in lieu of office visits. This has provided a needed service to avoid unnecessary office visits but, in some cases, will undoubtedly lead to over-usage, misdiagnosis and mistreatment. A number of commercial online physician consultation businesses have been established offering telephone and video consultations to the public by physicians, paid by government health plans if available. Otherwise, if not government insured, payment is made by credit card. It has become clear to many that there is an even-greater need for us to personally manage our health care. This has been accentuated due to the restrictions placed on health services as a result of Covid. You need to keep up with your immunization recommendations, including your annual flu shot, any recommended Covid boosters, shingles vaccine and pneumococcal vaccinations. Although the annual complete physical examination is no longer recommended, seniors especially should make an appointment for their annual health assessment when more time can be focused on symptoms and any chronic health conditions. Recommended screenings such as colonoscopy, mammogram, pap test and followup imaging in cases of previous cancers are also your responsibility in knowing how often such evaluations are recommended. Keep a record of all of your medications in your purse or wallet in case you have to go to emergency or a walk-in clinic. If you develop new or worsening symptoms, make sure that you ask for an early office appointment. Become aware of your medications and their possible side-effects. Research your symptoms or known medical conditions on the internet and document your symptoms and concerns before your appointment to get the most out of your office consultation. Use the internet to access your own lab and imaging results, making sure that you have been given followup for any abnormal results. If your internet skills are limited, ask a family member or close friend to help. For those who do not have a family doctor, keep up your attempts to find one. In addition to waiting lists, ask a close family relative or friend to ask their doctor, find out when a new doctor is establishing a family practice and don’t hesitate to keep asking a receptionist at a doctor’s office if you can become a patient there. Whether you do or don’t have a family doctor, if sudden injury or illness arises, go to the nearest emergency department without delay. Do not postpone your visit in fear of Covid. Such urgent and emergency treatment is always available to you and your condition will not be delayed in being diagnosed and treated. 36 | www.snowbirds.org
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