Compassionate care

As one of the physicians consulted on Human Resources Development Canada's new compassionate leave program for people caring for gravely ill or dying children, parents or spouses, I was disappointed by the title, tone and emphasis of the CMAJ news item on this topic.1 This is just the type of program that Canadian physicians should support and take pride in. Emphasizing that this benefit entails “more paperwork for physicians” is misguided at best and makes Canadian physicians appear small minded. A more positive headline might have been “New federal program supports compassionate care for ill family members.”

Stephen Liben Director, Pediatric Palliative Care Program The Montreal Children's Hospital McGill University Health Centre Montréal, Que.