A debate from the Canadian Medical Association Journal

The following two articles: Physicians, it‘s in your court now, by Stephen Lewis, and Doctors put patients first in health care debate, by Albert Schumacher, present two sides of a heated debate on the responsibilities that governments and physicians have played in the health care crises facing Canada, and the roles that each should assume in solving them. The articles were originally published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and I’m linking to them here to spark some debate; they do not necessarily represent my views or the opinion of the Health Sector Council.

The two articles present very polarized points of view and both authors are painting with broad strokes. Have a read and let us know what you think. And don’t forget to check out the e-letter responses at the bottom of each article; there are some great responses to Lewis and Schumacher from other physicians and medical students (see this one in particular).

All of this being said, it would seem to me that moving away from polarized points of view and finding the “best” and “doable” solutions to all of our healthcare problems would be more appropriate than trying to figure out who is to blame. But that is just me….what do you think?

Cheers,
Mark