On June 6, federal legislation was introduced in Canada that would establish common standards for sharing information and offer patients and their providers easier access to health data.
Eliminating sick notes, which permit Canadians to take time off work for short-term illness, has become a particular focus. Often, physicians must fit patients into their schedules to provide these notes, which takes time away from patients who may need more substantial care. In fact, the Ontario College of Family Physicians estimates that family doctors spend 261,000 hours each year managing sick notes.
Family physicians spend a lot of time helping patients access different parts of the healthcare system, including making referrals and retrieving diagnostic imaging. This type of administrative work is necessary, but the connections between parts of the healthcare system are often difficult to navigate."We're sometimes seeking referral after referral just to get one service for our patients," said Kumanan.