OMA Letter to the Editor
Kingston Whig-Standard

Build on team-based model

Kingston Whig-Standard
Tue 22 Jan 2008
Page: 7
Section: Forum

Re: the letter "Broaden role of nurses and other health-care providers" (Jan. 17).

Doctors, nurses and other health professionals are currently working together in family health teams and other integrated care models to provide patients with thorough and comprehensive care. Nurses and nurse practitioners play a very valuable role and are an important part of this team.

While it is true that we are short 2,000 doctors in Ontario, we are also short 9,000 nurses. Moving away from the team model of care to create separate nurse-led clinics would put additional pressures on our limited pool of health professionals. Separate clinics would also add additional barriers to patients in terms of travel and having the time to access a family doctor when necessary.

As our health-care system faces growing pressures, quality care will depend on health-care professionals working together as part of the same team, with the ultimate goal of giving our patients the best possible care. We should build on the existing team based-models that include doctors and health professionals such as nurses, dieticians and physiotherapists working together to provide patients with comprehensive care by the right professional when they need it.

Dr. Janice Willett
President
Ontario Medical Association