Why are consultations with doctors in the public system often quick and rushed?

As a family physician of French origin, who practiced in France before moving to Quebec in 2016, I frequently notice a striking contrast between medical consultations on the two sides of the Atlantic. In Quebec, many patients perceive consultations in public settings as fast, even rushed. Why is this? Here's an analysis of why.

1.a crying shortage of family doctors

In Quebec, the number of family doctors per capita is lower than in many other developed countries. This shortage is creating a work overload for existing physicians. With long patient lists and long appointment times, doctors sometimes have to see up to 40 patients a day, which mechanically limits the time allowed for each consultation. By comparison, in France, the density of GPs is higher, often enabling practitioners to spend more time with each patient, although they too face overload challenges in some regions.

2.pressure to optimize resources

In Quebec's public system, medical consultations are often conditioned by the optimization of healthcare network resources. Doctors are sometimes required to justify their actions and effectiveness on quantitative grounds, which encourages short consultations focused on managing the patient's main problem, to the detriment of more comprehensive follow-up or in-depth exploration. This logic of optimization is accentuated by fee-for-service financing in some contexts, where remuneration is linked to the volume of patients seen, a situation that differs from the flat-rate remuneration observed in some countries.

3.diversified responsibilities for doctors

In Quebec, family doctors often have multiple responsibilities. They divide their time between office consultations, CHSLD care, hospital follow-ups, emergencies and sometimes even teaching. This dispersion reduces their availability for extended clinic consultations. In France, although some GPs also practice in hospitals, the majority devote themselves primarily to their office practice, enabling them to concentrate their efforts on patient care.

4.a growing and aging population

With an aging population and ever-increasing medical needs, rapid consultations are becoming a necessary response to meet demand. This is particularly true for patients suffering from chronic or complex illnesses, who need more time, but are sometimes faced with time limits.

5.under-used digital tools

While other countries such as Estonia and the UK are making massive use of digital tools to lighten the administrative burden and facilitate exchanges between doctors and patients, these technologies remain under-exploited in Quebec. The management of medical records and appointments could be made more fluid, enabling doctors to devote more time to patient relations.

Towards an improved system?

Although rapid consultations are a reality in the public system, solutions exist to improve the quality of care:

- Time management reform: Enable doctors to concentrate on longer consultations by hiring more administrative staff and lightening their workload.

- Teleconsultations for minor cases: By freeing up time for complex cases, virtual consultations help to relieve congestion in the system.

- Encourage private clinics: Platforms like Allodocteur.ca offer an alternative for fast, personalized appointments, with no long waits.

In conclusion, the speed of medical consultations in Quebec's public system reflects structural and organizational constraints. If you're looking for longer, more personalized consultations, options like private home clinics can offer a different experience, reminiscent of the French model where family doctors are more accessible and sometimes travel to their patients' homes.

At Allodocteur.ca, we strive to provide local medicine by offering same-day, in-home visits to meet your health needs quickly and efficiently.

Looking for a personalized consultation tailored to your needs? Book an appointment on Allodocteur.ca right now.