After Health Minister Christian Dubé, in his network reform, considered the possibility of forcing all future specialists to practice in the regions, he now only targets foreign students who complete their training in Quebec.
Posted at 10:37 am.
Ugo Giguère The Canadian Press
A provision in Bill 15 (PL-15) aimed at “making the health and social services network more efficient” could allow the minister to force students from outside the province to complete their specialist training for a period of four years of practicing in the region from obtaining their license.
During the special consultations last spring, the Federation of Resident Physicians of Quebec (FMRQ) strictly rejected the original version of Article 392, which allowed the government to reserve 25% of residential places that it could fulfill its obligation to “Sign a commitment, accompanied if necessary of a penalty clause, to practice in the region or for the establishment designated by the Minister for a maximum period of four years.
In its brief, the FMRQ called the provisions of Section 392 “illegal,” “discriminatory,” and “morally dubious.” It condemned the government’s intention to “impose ‘working conditions’ in advance on people who are still several years away from filling roles related to those conditions”.
According to the typical path of a future specialist doctor, he must first complete a four to five year university course and then successfully complete his four to eight year specialist training. Some then add another year or more to perfect their knowledge through subspecialization.
However, the provisions challenged by the FMRQ were taken from the current Health Care and Social Services Act, even though they do not apply.
Minister Christian Dubé seems to have still heard the criticism of the FMRQ since he proposed an amendment in his bundle of 150 amendments last week.
The new version of Article 392 is no longer about negotiating housing with Quebec students. However, Section 393 remains in effect. The latter allows the government to retain the power to “require students outside Quebec to sign an undertaking, possibly with a penalty clause, before starting their training, to practice in the region for a maximum period of four years.” “for the institution designated by the Minister” if they wish to continue their career in Quebec.
Although these students from other countries are also de facto members of the FMRQ at the start of their stay, the association reiterates in a statement sent to The Canadian Press that it “notes with great satisfaction” the changes proposed by the minister.
In an interview, the President of the FMRQ, Dr. Cédric Lacombe said he rejects any form of discrimination but says he accepts a form of compromise that solves the problem “for the majority of members”.
According to the association, positions for specialists across Quebec are already limited, although they are distributed according to medical workforce planning. This is a five-year plan developed jointly by the ministry and the medical associations.
For the FMRQ, this planning and the strict regulatory framework associated with it are more than sufficient to meet the needs of the regions without having to negotiate with students for places to live.
The Health and Human Services Committee’s work was paused Tuesday following a six-day intensive study of PL-15 over the past two weeks.
We will have to wait until debates resume to find out whether the amendments will be adopted or whether other amendments will be tabled.
Around 150 articles have been passed so far and parliamentarians are racing against time to pass the impressive health care reform before the end of the year.
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