This episode features an AI-generated conversation exploring Canada's healthcare crisis. Though the discussion is artificial, the research and challenges presented are very real. This marks our second experiment with AI-created podcast content.

This episode explores Canada's family doctor crisis through new research from the Canadian Family Physician Journal, examining causes, patient impacts, and innovative solutions.

Healtheon and similar organizations are piloting:

Solutions exist and are working, but need urgent scaling up. The focus should be on strengthening primary care teams and reimagining service delivery rather than waiting for long-term policy fixes.

Michelle Milheiras shares her personal journey with chronic pelvic pain and how it led to founding The Happy Pelvis, a resource platform for patients struggling with pelvic health conditions. From experiencing symptoms starting at age 8 to finally getting proper diagnoses at 28, Michelle discusses the challenges of navigating healthcare systems while in pain and provides insights for both patients and healthcare providers.

"Don't give up. Know that there are many others who are standing alongside you who are struggling with the same thing, and know that there are answers out there."

Email Michelle directly at [email protected]

You Can Find Michelle on Social Media

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

For more episodes of Prescription for Primary Care, please like, share, comment, or subscribe to our channels. Until next time, good health and better healthcare.

In this episode of Prescription for Primary Care, we tackle the controversial topic of private healthcare options in Canada. We sit down with insurance professional Ingrid Gahsner from IMI Canada and Dr. Raymond Rupert from RCM Health and Healtheon to discuss how Canadians can access faster medical care options through private insurance.

Key Topics Covered:

Whether you're frustrated with wait times, curious about your options, or wondering how private healthcare fits into Canada's universal system, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and open your eyes to possibilities you may not have known existed.

In this episode, we speak with Stephane Robichaud about New Brunswick's healthcare transformation, with a special focus on primary care challenges and the newly released Population Health Survey.

Primary Care Provider Access

Emergency Department Utilization

The Population Health Survey

Digital Healthcare Solutions

Healthcare Professional Recruitment

Stephane Robichaud is the CEO of the New Brunswick Health Council, an independent organization mandated to measure, monitor, and report on healthcare system performance in the province. Under his leadership, the Council conducts regular surveys including the Primary Care Survey and the newly released Population Health Survey. Stephane brings valuable insights on healthcare metrics, accountability frameworks, and system performance, with a particular focus on addressing New Brunswick's primary care challenges.

New Brunswick residents are encouraged to complete the new Population Health Survey to help shape better healthcare policies. 

This deep dive explores the critical challenges facing rural communities when they lose primary healthcare providers, and the innovative solutions being implemented.

Based on research from Healthon.ca

Guest:

Cheryl Petruk, CEO and Founder of Heal Canada, discusses her journey from caregiver to passionate patient advocate, and shares how Heal Canada is working to amplify patient voices and create meaningful change in the healthcare system.

Key Discussion Points:

"All we ask is that they send the link out to the digital magazine to their community, because you never know when it will help one person... Then we've helped one more person, right? Then we've amplified the voice of the greater community."

"That's really what we're here for is to help one another."

"Whether you're a healthcare professional or a patient or a caregiver and you want to contribute to a meaningful change in our healthcare system, just reach out to us."

Contact:

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rohini Patel from Can-Am Physician Recruiting to discuss the critical physician shortage in Canada and innovative solutions for international medical graduate (IMG) recruitment.

Dr. Patel, with over 12 years of experience in healthcare and physician recruitment, shares her expertise on navigating the complex landscape of bringing international physicians to Canada, while addressing the growing crisis of unattached patients across the country.

Key Points Discussed:

Guest Information

Dr. Rohini Patel is a physician recruiter at Can-Am Physician Recruiting, bringing a unique perspective with her MD from Windsor School of Medicine and extensive experience in clinic operations management and EMR systems. Her focus is on bridging the gap between international medical graduates and Canadian healthcare needs.

Useful Links

In this episode, former Canadian Medical Association President Dr. Brian Day discusses the systemic challenges within Canada's healthcare system and potential solutions for reform. Drawing from his extensive experience as a surgeon and healthcare advocate, Dr. Day provides unique insights into the current state of Canadian healthcare.

Key Points Discussed:

Guest Information:

Dr. Brian Day served as President of the Canadian Medical Association and has been a leading voice in Canadian healthcare reform. As a practicing orthopedic surgeon and healthcare policy advocate, he has been instrumental in challenging existing healthcare delivery models through both legal and policy channels.

Twitter / X - @DrBrianDay

CBC News - Supreme Court dismisses B.C. doctor's appeal in challenge over access to private health care

Notable Quotes:

"We're paying in our country to stop people getting treated."

"The best and worst doctors are paid the same."

"Wait times flow from government rationing of healthcare" - BC Court of Appeal ruling

#HealthcareReform #CanadianHealthcare #WaitTimes #PrimaryCare #HealthcarePolicy

In this episode, we sit down with April Susin, President of the Nurse Practitioners Association of Nova Scotia, to discuss the crucial role of nurse practitioners in addressing Nova Scotia's primary care challenges. April shares her perspective on the positive impact nurse practitioners can have on health outcomes and advocates for every Nova Scotia resident to have the opportunity to involve a nurse practitioner in their care.

Key Points Discussed:

Guest Information:

April Susin is the President of the Nurse Practitioners Association of Nova Scotia. As a passionate advocate for the role of nurse practitioners in improving healthcare access and outcomes, April brings valuable insights to the discussion on addressing Nova Scotia's primary care challenges.

You can reach Aprill or the Association at [email protected]

Useful Links:

Episode Show Notes: Patient Empowerment in Cancer Care

Guest: Karen Malkin-Lazarovitz

Context: At a time when 6.5 million Canadians lack access to a family doctor, understanding how to navigate genetic health risks within our primary care system is more crucial than ever.

Key Discussion Points:

Notable Quotes:

Key Takeaways: