Being just 3 months younger than Canada, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is one of our country’s oldest societies. The association’s first president, Sir Charles Tupper, was a founding father and the first and last physician–prime minister.
Unlike provincial associations, the CMA is not involved in remunerative negotiations. It is free to critique government policies that clash with the needs of patients and health workers without fear of reprisals from its de facto employer.
There has been a lot of press and commentary lately about the family medicine crisis in BC, and with good reason. As a full-service family physician, I and many of my colleagues feel this crisis on a daily basis. Although this editorial focuses on the family medicine crisis, I acknowledge that our specialist colleagues, in many cases, are also worried about the future of their disciplines.
It was a pleasure to read Dr Chow’s perspective on the subspecialty of adult infectious diseases in British Columbia [BCMJ 2022;64:155-159]. I met him as a trainee in 1986 and I can attest to the fact that he is one of the founding fathers of our specialty in Canada and a mentor to many of us.
It is with sadness and frustration that I reply to Dr Suzanne Montemuro’s letter in the BCMJ [2022;64:105-106], “Where have all the family doctors gone?”
She chose to bring up the issue of physician remuneration as one reason there is a shortage of family doctors. On this issue I agree. However, her letter implies that specialists, in particular ophthalmologists, are overpaid. On this issue I completely disagree. I argue that family doctors are underpaid. I don’t know of any Canadian physician who feels overpaid. Ever.
