I'm an MD who performs medical assistance in death #MAiD in Canada. I have strong concerns. If we don’t cover basic necessities in our health and social care systems, we shouldn't be offering death as an alternative. @CanadianPM@theJagmeetSingh@JusticeCanadaEN@MinJusticeEn 1/6
Track 2 #MAiD patients, those without a life-limiting illness but with subjective suffering they feel is overwhelming. Much of their suffering is due to a lack of social care – affordable, accessible housing. Adequate disability income. Medications and ancillary care covered. 2/6
#MAiD is a humane, dignified process. It’s not imposed, it's regulated. It’s not eugenics, coerced, or culling. But I can’t blame people for this perception. They aren’t getting help they need but know MAiD is a choice. The presumptions are wrong, but the system is wrong too. 3/6
People accessed #MAiD because they’ve given up hope that their medical and social needs will be cared for. They’re in too much pain – physical, mental, relational, existential. They feel systems don’t care. Many perceive MDs can cure most problems and relieve most symptoms. 4/6
My biggest concern is failure to provide adequate mental health services. We offer meds and piecemeal therapy - varies by province, most long wait-lists and limited modalities. Certain somatic/bilat therapies can cure #PTSD#trauma#ComplexTrauma yet the price is preclusive. 5/6
Until comprehensive social care, mental health treatments, a guaranteed income, pharmacare, and a housing strategy exists – the slippery slope of #MAiD should concern us all. There's ethical obligation to enhance our systems of care before we enact new legislation in 2023. 6/6
On National Indigenous day, I respect this decision and the message of the mayor here: instagram.com/tv/CQT0AZsAqEC… My family, including Indigenous members, live in St Albert, where history is complicated where it comes to TRC. 1/8
At least 6,000 students died at the St Albert residential "schools" from disease, weather, starvation, violence and neglect, and were often buried in unmarked graves. Graves dug by their fellow students. The triggering Youville name remains in Sr care. 2/8 edmontonjournal.com/opinion/column…
Poundmakers residential school survivors testified “forcefully separated from their parents, stripped of belongings and separated from siblings. Many were physically struck when they spoke their native language.” now converted to substance use treatment caused by this trauma. 3/8
Read 'em for you. There are a number of not-surprising facts that these documents make clear. Our Public Health response was not guided by the best evidence available. Curious as to whether political interference and the interest of certain lobby groups played a role. (1/31)
"Monetary compensation for lost wages, trust in public health regulations and worry about infection was linked to increased intent to adhere to quarantine. However, stricter sanctions, higher fines and penalties for violators did not impact adherence." AB chose the former 2/31
The incubation period across all meta-analyses was an average or median of 5-7 days with the longest reported to be 32 days. There was some evidence the average incubation period may be longer for children and older adults. IMP: the 3 day isolation hotel is nonsensical. 3/31
I was asked by AMA @Albertadoctors and the @AB_leg to keep offline about our tentative MD agreement vote for the last weeks and so I have. But I want to be clear now about why I voted against it. It was absolutely not a financial decision. 1/7
My biggest fear was optics that would have looked in alignment with a mandate towards privatizing health services. These corporations (Telus, Amazon) may not even be AB-based docs but take from our health budget needed to serve Albertans and ensure sustainable medical homes. 2/7
No guarantee of contribution to policy decisions. Binding arbitration wasn't on the table. This sets a precedent for other unions and it's critically important to stand in solidarity with all public sector workers. We are privileged to withstand storms, but others are not. 3/7