The great divide
Online posting: April 11, 1997
Published in print: May. 15, 1997 (CMAJ 1997;156:1377)
Re: MD fees much higher in US, CMAJ
1997;156:960 [full text / texte complet]
This Pulse column illustrated the great discrepancies between
physicians' fees in the US and Canada. The difference in fees
reported in the article is 600% and even higher. I am sure that
most Canadian physicians would feel handsomely rewarded if they
made 100% -- maybe even 50% -- more, never mind 600%. Meanwhile, we
are missing a golden opportunity. We should use this information
to win the minds and hearts of Canadians by making them aware of
their good fortune.
We do not need the expensive TV commercials politicians use --
all we need is a weekly "one-liner" posted in the waiting room of
every physician's office. Among other things, these posters could
remind patients that their physicians "Give Canadians the best
bang for the buck."
In the past, many of us have been reluctant to "toot our own
flute," but this is the wrong stance. We need not only a CMA
MD-MP contact program but also a CMA department that maintains
and nurtures the image of physicians.
I have cut out page 960 of the Mar. 15 CMAJ and
inserted it in a photograph album that I keep in the office for
patients. It contains items of medical, political and social
interest, and page 960 will undoubtedly fly under the banner
"More bang for the buck."
May I say it is a delight to receive CMAJ and to be
able to keep it in focus to the end of an article. The new
typeface was a great choice.
Gabriel J. Slowey, MD
Chesterville, Ont.
baffle.gab@sympatico.ca
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