Quebec family doctors have ceased instructing medical students, and medical specialists have halted mediation talks with the provincial government due to an impasse in negotiations. The discussions revolve around Bill 106, which proposes linking physicians’ pay to performance metrics to encourage them to take on more patients.
Last month, members of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) stopped teaching and supervising undergraduate students in protest against the bill. Following suit, the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ), representing family doctors, has also suspended teaching activities.
The FMOQ has requested arbitration to resolve the dispute and has committed to abiding by the arbitration results. Meanwhile, negotiations with medical specialists remain deadlocked, with the FMSQ announcing the suspension of mediation on Thursday.
Dr. Vincent Oliva, president of the FMSQ, stated in a letter to members that negotiations would resume only if the government ensures negotiators have the authority to proceed without interference. The FMSQ plans to consider further pressure tactics in the coming days.
Health Minister Christian Dubé and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau expressed disappointment at the FMOQ’s decision and reiterated their willingness to negotiate for the benefit of all Quebecers. Dr. Marc-André Amyot, FMOQ president, accused the government of negotiating in bad faith and emphasized the need for a fair remuneration scheme and increased patient care access.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Dubé confirmed that Bill 106 will persist, emphasizing the importance of the proposed mixed remuneration model that includes capitation payments and performance-based pay. Amyot raised concerns about the bill’s potential negative impact on doctor accessibility and emphasized the multifaceted nature of evaluating family doctors’ work beyond clinical appointments.
The dispute has raised concerns among medical students in Quebec about potential delays in graduation. Bill 106 aims to improve healthcare efficiency by setting performance targets at both provincial and local levels, emphasizing quality of care and reduced wait times and absenteeism rates.