The Membership Tour-Meeting Doctors Where They Are

This week on The Doctor Is In, I will be discussing my recent travels.  The membership tour is by far the most wonderful part of being president of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).  It is an opportunity to meet doctors in their communities, see where they live and work, and hear directly from them what is and isn’t working in Ontario’s healthcare system.

I had the privilege of attending the Windsor-Essex region in southwestern Ontario.  There I had the opportunity to meet with hospital and community based physicians to hear about their concerns.  I got to tour the satellite campus of Schulich’s School of Medicine—a beautiful place for medical students to learn.  It is incredible to see the amazing experience these students are provided by working with dedicated community-based preceptors.  

A wonderful example of physician community was attending the Essex County Medical Society Clinical Day.  This wonderful event was where physicians could convene together, learning from  one another and having a chance to further build community.  I was amazed to see how many doctors came together to learn from one another and celebrate being colleagues.  

Later that same week, I had the opportunity to travel to the Ottawa region, where I was able to visit hospitals and clinics in several francophone communities.  It was incredible to see programming and hospitals dedicated to preserving and celebrating the French language and culture.  Learning about how to manage healthcare near the borders between provinces was an important lesson in the challenges that patients and physicians face in Canada.  It is difficult to get access to health records across provincial lines and it slows down delivery of care to patients.

I also had the opportunity to attend the District 8 Annual General Meeting in Ottawa—what a delightful experience.  There were physicians across the career spectrum, from learners to retirees.  We had physicians new to the area who were coming out to their first event and seasoned leaders from the OMA who have been involved with the association for years.  

Engagement is critical to the success of the OMA.  I am honoured to be president—to meet people where they are at, see what they do on a daily basis, and bring their concerns back to the organization.  Are things in Ontario communities going perfectly?  No, there are significant challenges.  But it is clear that having a community of support makes a real difference in the experience of being a physician in Ontario.  I am determined to help build that community within our association.  

Every doctor in Ontario deserves to belong.