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We applaud Dr. Lerner for bringing this forward for open discussion. His article digs at the heart of an uncomfortable conversation that we have been having at the College for quite some time, but are now poised to move beyond. How do we support continuing comprehensive care family physicians while ensuring that we remain the professional home for those with special interests or focused practices?
To be clear and unequivocal from the CFPC’s perspective- there is no family medicine as a discipline without primary care. Dr. Lerner suggests that we have two choices - embrace focused practices OR generalism. This is unnecessarily divisive and misses a critical perspective. The practice of family medicine is not a zero-sum game, but rather nuanced based on context. Our paradigm of practice, while important, is secondary to our responsibility in meeting the health care needs of Canadians whatever that looks like. Take for example the development of our CAC in Enhanced Surgical Skills (ESS). What we have learned from our rural colleagues is that general surgical and obstetrical services are linch pins that keep rural hospitals open and able to offer care close to home. Family physicians with enhanced surgical skills are a key part of this solution in some regions. Our support of comprehensive continuing care should be reinforced but it may look differently across communities depending on the composition of health care teams.
As an organization, we have embrac...
Show MoreCompeting Interests: Drs. Fowler, Ng, Sisler and Wyman are paid employees of the CFPC.