(Karolina Grabowska/CHAT News)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Medicine Hat physician says new Alberta doctor pay structure will make family care more viable

Apr 17, 2024 | 6:45 PM

A Medicine Hat physician said Wednesday a new family doctor pay deal Alberta is close to finalizing will create a more viable funding model, saying it’s an example of what can be accomplished through proper consultation.

“This is a very positive day for Alberta and for patients in Alberta,” said Dr. Paul Parks, head of the Alberta Medical Association and local emergency room doctor.

“This is a firm commitment to prioritize family medicine and to actually create a funding model that will make longitudinal comprehensive family medicine care viable across the province.”

At this point, the government has worked out the broad framework for the initiative with just a few small components remaining.

The new approach would see doctors paid based on metrics such as how many patients they see and how many hours they work.

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Health minister Adriana LaGrange announced Wednesday she supported the new model and is focused on implementation as soon as possible, Parks said.

The government’s initiative comes after Parks and other doctors said primary care in Alberta was in “critical condition” in January.

For several months, doctors have been working with Alberta Health on the new pay framework through a “strike team” made up of family medicine specialists and rural generalists, Parks said.

“This is a perfect example of what can work when we can collaborate and work together, and they listen to frontline physicians,” he said.

Parks said doctors have formed a good relationship with the government and he’s hoping they will tackle more in the future.

“Hopefully we’ll have more positive announcements like today.”

— with files from The Canadian Press