Although the number of doctors increases every year, Quebecers still do not have much access to the health system. This is what Dr Gaétan Barrette highlighted in Alexandre Moranville’s presentation at QUB. The former Minister of Health and Social Services uses data from the Régie de l’assurance santé du Québec.
By 2022, there will be nearly 1,600 more doctors than ten years ago. This is an increase of 18%. What appears to be good news doesn’t necessarily translate into an increase in referrals.
In fact, only 54,000 additional office examinations were conducted, an increase of 0.43%.
Screenshot of the RAMQ table
“You increase the number of doctors, but the number of office visits doesn’t change!” Dr. Barrett protested.
It is difficult to identify the exact reason for this discrepancy. However, the incumbent in the National Assembly from 2014 to 2018 has a theory. Doctors cannot fill appointments. Gaétan Barrette questions the existence of health professionals.
“I think people have a right to access services and the government has a right to demand goods,” Dr. Barrett concluded.
Remember that last week, Health Minister Christian Dubey announced that he wanted to provide 500,000 more medical appointments a year.
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