The alluring myth of private medicine

Michael Gordon, MD, FRCPC; Philip B. Berger, MD, FCFP

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 155: 404-406

[résumé]

Dr. Gordon is vice-president of medical services and head of geriatrics and internal medicine, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, North York, Ont., head of the Division of Geriatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, professor of medicine, University of Toronto, and associate member, University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, Toronto, Ont.; and Dr. Berger is chief of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wellesley Hospital, and assistant professor of medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
Paper reprints may be obtained from Dr. Michael Gordon, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, 3560 Bathurst St., North York ON M6A 2E1

© 1996 Canadian Medical Association (text and abstract/résumé)

See also:
  • The benefits of privatization [abstract / résumé]
  • Letter: Show me the proof, Dr. Avery

    Abstract

    Canada's medicare system has provided Canadians with high-quality health care for almost three decades. Now Canadian health care appears to be at risk of losing the single-payer system, which is the premise on which medicare is built. As medicare comes under increasing financial pressure, many are calling for the introduction of private care as a means of bolstering our health care system and maintaining its quality. Although it appears alluring to some politicians, physicians and commentators, privatization could very well lead to the demise of the principles and practices of the Canadian health care system as we know it, with little clear benefit to the public or physicians.

    Résumé

     Le système d'assurance-maladie du Canada fournit aux Canadiens des soins de santé de grande qualité depuis presque trois décennies. Il semble maintenant que le Canada risque de perdre le système de soins de santé à payeur unique, prémisse fondamentale de l'assurance-maladie. Comme l'assurance-maladie est la cible de pressions financières de plus en plus lourdes, beaucoup d'intervenants préconisent la mise en place de soins privés pour appuyer notre système et en maintenir la qualité. Même si cette solution semble attirante pour certains politiciens, médecins et commentateurs, la privatisation pourrait très bien entraîner l'effondrement des principes et des pratiques du système de soins de santé du Canada tel que nous le connaissons et présenter peu d'avantages clairs pour la population ou les médecins.

    | CMAJ August 15, 1996 (vol 155, no 4) /  JAMC le 15 août 1996 (vol 155, no 4) |