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- Page navigation anchor for RE: What's the holdup on national licensing for doctors?RE: What's the holdup on national licensing for doctors?
The answer to this question lies in the protectionism practised by all provinces and territories, in one form or another and to varying degree. Even after over 150 years as a country there is no free trade among the provinces and territories. The Nayional Post of 22 July 2016 carried prominently the headline "Premiers agree to 'historic' interprovincial trade deal but details on changes unclear." The host premier declared "This is a historic day," to what I responded what a joke!
Competing Interests: None declared. - Page navigation anchor for RE: What's the holdup on national licensing?RE: What's the holdup on national licensing?
According to Dr. Inkpen, president of the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada, national licensure is impossible because "professional regulation is a provincial responsiblity", as per the Constitution. I'd like to see someone try pulling that stunt for driver's licenses! "Sorry, if you want to drive in this province, you'll have to apply for our license - here's the form, test, and fee."
Yes, provinces may be responsible for physician (and other health profession) regulation. No, that doesn't mean they can't take another province's license as adequate proof the physician is competent. Physicians can only occupy one point in space at a given time, so they should be regulated by the provincial College in which they're located when they see the patient. And if the Colleges want to fight over the fees, split them up based on the time the doc works in each province! The CMPA has figured this out, as has any organization where there's any incentive to make it work.
The fact of the matter is that there is zero incentive for our Colleges to make this happen, and many reasons they don't want to. None of which are related to patients or doctors, and all of which are self-serving. And they want us to be ethical...
Competing Interests: None declared.