A Yukon Medical Association (YMA) member online survey shows lots of room for improvement in the Yukon’s health care system.

Yukon Party health critic Brad Cathers brought up the Negotiations Strategy Members Survey last Thursday in the legislature.

“Yukon’s health care crisis continues to get worse under this Liberal government,” he told the House.

“A recent survey of Yukon doctors done on behalf of the Yukon Medical Association shows even more problems, as well as lack of confidence in the current Liberal government.

“The survey of local doctors found that just seven per cent — quote: ‘feel the current government supports and values physicians’ contributions to the health-care system.’”

Cathers doubled down with another quote from the survey.

“The bulk of members disagree that the current government supports and values physicians’ contributions . …”

Cathers stated, “This is another damning indictment of the Liberal government’s mismanagement of health care. How does the government expect to attract more doctors to move to the Yukon when only seven per cent of local doctors feel the current Liberal government supports and values physicians’ contributions to the health care system?”

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee said the government “is committed to increasing access to primary health care services and to working with and supporting our physician partners.

“As usual, I will challenge the information, the way in which it’s packaged, in the preamble to this question.”

McPhee then refuted the survey’s claim that doctors are dissatisfied.

“In 2022, we negotiated a new memorandum of understanding with the Yukon Medical Association to help increase Yukoners’ access to primary health care services and to foster a strong physician community relationship through a series of innovative initiatives that will be in effect until March 31, 2025.”

Cathers quoted the survey again, then stated, “Almost one in five local family doctors plan to close their practice in one to two years and 41 per cent of doctors with family practices plan to close their practice in the next five years.

“Of those planning to close a practice, only 11 per cent believe they will be able to recruit another doctor to take on patients when they leave or retire.”

McPhee responded in part, “We undertook last year the work to build a health human resources strategy. There was basically unheard of participation from all sectors of health care professionals, including physicians, including nurses, Yukon University, the unions, the hospital corporation and the Department of Health and Social Services.

“A steering committee was jointly held and work was done last summer and ultimately released the Health Human Resources Strategy,” McPhee added.

“We have budgeted $2.8 million during the 2024-25 fiscal year for the implementation of that strategy.”

Cathers retorted, “The minister knows very well that we pushed them for years to develop a health human resources strategy.

“The survey’s finding about well-being of local doctors is further confirmation of the Yukon’s worsening health care crisis,” Cathers said.

“Over half of Yukon doctors say their practice is currently at risk due to the level of burnout they are experiencing.”

Cathers then broached the subject of dispute resolution between YMA members and the government in the survey.

“A whopping 69 per cent identified improving dispute resolution with the government as a priority and 64 per cent called for improved funding for locum support.”

Cathers added, “This is a damning indictment of the Liberals’ neglect of health care, the repeated failure to pay doctors on time, and the almost complete lack of confidence doctors have in this government.”

McPhee again challenged the accuracy of Cathers’ preamble.

She then cited an article written “back in 2007 regarding the minister at the time where doctors were repeatedly asking for support from the member, for support from the then-minister, to even meet with the then-minister, who refused to do so, refused to meet with media, and ignored the problems that were happening then.

“That is not the approach that we are taking, and it is not the approach we are going to take,” McPhee stated vehemently.

Speaking to reporters later, Opposition Leader Currie Dixon cited the survey section stating 41 per cent of family physicians plan to close their practice in the next five years.

“Of those, two thirds right now assume that their patients will be orphaned,” Dixon said.

“That’s going to make the health care crisis all the more worse. So we’re deeply concerned about the results of this YMA survey.”

One hundred nineteen YMA members were contacted for the survey and 74 surveys were completed – a 62-per-cent response.

The survey shows other alarming numbers.

The top reasons why members are not satisfied with the Fee For Service (FFS) system:

• 66 per cent: It’s inequitable compared to other models/similar work;

• 66 per cent: Doesn’t compensate for full scope of work;

• 63 per cent: It’s an unreliable payment schedule;

• 63 per cent: Doesn’t support best patient care;

• 61 per cent: Makes team-based care difficult.

Among the reasons 41 per cent said they planned to close their practice within five years:

• 71 per cent: Don’t want longitudinal responsibility;

• 64 per cent: Not remunerated well enough for commitment;

• 57 per cent: Not remunerated well enough for work.

The following points were under perceptions:

• 91 per cent: Believe stabilizing primary care must be the top priority for this negotiation;

• 77 per cent: Believe it’s important for succession planning and quality patient care that physicians are able to wind down their practice while mentoring a replacement;

• 74 per cent: Would like to practice in a collaborative model with other health care providers;

• 68 per cent: Said compensation more in line with national peers is essential to stability of medical care in the Yukon;

• 64 per cent: Support quality incentives (e.g. advanced access, reduced wait times, best practices, etc.)

• 57 per cent: Are confident that YMA has the ability to represent their interests in upcoming negotiations;

• 53 per cent: Want more/different payment options.

Most telling were the following perceptions:

• 47 per cent: Are satisfied with their professional life;

• 22 per cent: Feel adequately supported to provide their patients with required care;

• 19 per cent: Say after-hours work is currently valued appropriately;

• 18 per cent: Say the current fee guide provides fair compensation for complex/lengthy office visits;

• 11 per cent: Believe they will be able to recruit a physician for their practice/replacement when they’re ready to leave/retire;

• seven per cent: Feel the current government supports and values physicians’ contributions to the health care system.