As a physician, and a patient, I am deeply frustrated and saddened that our government chooses to prioritize elective surgical waitlists over our primary care system in order to achieve savings. Primary care is the foundation of the Canadian health care system. (1/12)
Alberta is the highest ranked for #PatientMedicalHome in Canada. Innovations like complex modifiers, which compensate physicians for spending the time required, enable us to provide comprehensive and preventative care. The value to our system is there if you look for it. (2/12)
HQCA reported that by providing comprehensive care we can save the system more money than our physicians cost it. Patients have fewer ER visits and hospital admissions. If each Albertan received excellent comprehensive care, it could save the system $1B per year. (3/12) 
Savings with better outcomes. Primary care needs support. That is where health savings are achieved. Not by decimating primary care or front-line nursing care. Not by alienating the rural physicians who keep our towns ER covered 24/7. (4/12)
A physician cannot be reasonably expected to earn the same amount spending 25 minutes with a patient as 5 minutes (think Rx refill), could they? Our government says yes. Which type of medicine does the elimination of complex modifiers engender? Complex or simple? (5/12)
Each visit requires a pre-visit chart review, in-person consultation, charting, and when complex, associated paperwork such as referrals or review of results. Would you expect your hairdresser to perform a cut for the same price as a shampoo, cut, colour and style? (6/12)
$38/visit (base) is the amount we receive from which we pay all the expenses to practice this profession: the computer system to chart on, the walls I rent within which my clinic is located, the receptionist who booked your appointment... (7/12)
...the medical office assistant who brought you to the exam room, the gown we provided you, the otoscope I used to check your child's ear, the instruments I used to excise your skin lesion, the insurance and licensing fees required. What did you pay for an oil change? (8/12)
Family physicians work hard for their patients. Family physicians are being #gaslighted as the problem in a complex system. We want to provide good value to our health system. I strongly believe that we do. Being devalued and slandered by our government is demoralizing. (9/12)
I am a proud Alberta Rural Family Doctor. This week I will work 100 hrs. I am valuable. My time is valuable. My expertise is valuable. Physicians and Primary Care are the solution, not the problem. #RuralHealthMatters (10/12)
The real question I see is: How many fewer doctors can we afford to have in Alberta? The effects of these cuts will be deep. @albertadoctors (11/12)
I invite Minister @shandro to my clinic. Come see our primary care system and team. See the value we provide. Every day. 24/7/365. #PrimaryCare (12/12)
