Ghost of a flea: Medical ethics in Ontario

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May 05, 2010

Medical ethics in Ontario

Under Canada's provincial variety pack of state mandated medical insurance, you will not be shocked to learn it is often difficult to find a family doctor who can admit a new patient to the roll of their medical practice. In the United States it has been supply and demand, in Canada it has been and remains rationing and waiting lists.

With this in mind (and with apologies for my continued use of the passive voice), does anyone happen to know if it is legal - let alone ethical - for an Ontario GP to tell their patient that if he or she seeks a second opinion then he or she will be struck off the patient list at their practice?

If so, please feel free to comment or email. This is not an academic question.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at May 5, 2010 10:14 AM

Comments

If it isn't illegal, it should be. It's certainly unethical. This (pdf) article from Benefits and Pensions Monitor states you are entitled under the provincial plan to a second opinion. (Mind you, the author works for a company that offers second opinions, so he may be a tad biased.)

Posted by: cm at May 5, 2010 12:30 PM

Flea, it might depend on the possible medical condition. If it's something that may require a specialist to diagnose and/or treat, then I have a strong suspicion that dropping you could be actionable in some way. A responsible GP will refer a patient to a specialist when asked or when needed.

Posted by: Josephine at May 6, 2010 09:33 PM