Thank you.
Yes. My husband is a family doctor and I can tell you that there are a lot more similarities than differences between specialists and family physicians when it comes to these issues.
I really do think that the solution, as you've heard from many of my colleagues, is to work together. Better data means better planning. We really need to plan and support in an integrated way that reflects the way we deliver the care.
We are already collaborating closely, through the Canadian Medical Forum, with Dr. Lemire and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. We're looking at, for example, the rural and remote realities. The integration of primary care specialists with other specialists will be key, and with other providers as well.
We hear from our fellows right now about how they would love the resources to better support the system as a whole. We've referred to the administrative staff, the nursing, the patient at the centre and the team that we need to support it, and we really don't have that data.