Outgoing president urges doctors to be leaders in transforming health care

CALGARY – The outgoing president of the Canadian Medical Association is urging doctors to be leaders in transforming health care.

Dr. Anna Reid, in her final speech as association president, said it is clear that Canadians want and expect doctors to be advocates for their broader health as well as for the care system.

She said work being done by many physicians creates a — quote — “force for good” in society.

Reid said that despite doctor shortages, long wait times and endless talk about what is wrong, there are a lot of things to be proud of in Canadian health care — including the work done by doctors.

She said the medical association’s focus needs to be on quality of care and not just cost cutting.

Reid said an important first step is to convince the federal government to develop a national strategy for seniors care.