In this episode of Hart2Heart Dr. Mike Hart is joined by Dr. Sohail Gandhi to discuss the issue of the family physician shortage in the province. With 16,000 licensed family doctors but only 9,500 practicing comprehensive care, Dr. Gandhi sheds light on the reasons behind the shortage, including administrative burdens, compensation issues, and lack of respect from the government.

Dr. Hart and Dr. Gandhi discuss potential solutions like improving working conditions and revisiting the healthcare system structure, including introducing deductibles and private healthcare to alleviate stress on the public system. They also dive into the role of other healthcare providers, the impact of policy decisions on patient care, and the pervasive issue of burnout among healthcare workers.

Guest Bio and Links:

Dr. Sohail Gandhi practices family medicine in Stayner, Ontario and has been the Investigating Coroner of Simcoe County since 2001. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Dr. Gandhi is currently an assistant clinical professor at Queen’s University Medical School and a lecturer in medicine at the University of Toronto. He has held leadership positions at both the OMA and in the community, including Medical Staff Executive and Chief of Family Practice at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, and Chair of the Board of the Georgian Bay Family Health Team.

Listeners can learn more about Dr. Sohail Gandhi on his website and X @drmsgandhi 

Show Notes:

• (0:00 ) Welcome back to the Hart2Heart Podcast with Dr. Mike Hart   

• (0:15 ) Dr. Hart introduces guest, Dr. Sohail Gandhi to the listeners

• (1:30 ) Today’s topic: family physician shortage in Ontario 

• (3:00 )  ”We've got 6,000 people already in Ontario who could do the job if we make, if we made the working conditions better.”

• (3:30 ) Misconceptions about the shortage

• (9:00 ) Solutions from other provinces

• (18:00 ) Role of pharmacists and nurse practitioners

• (21:30 ) Antibiotic resistance and healthcare challenges

• (28:00 ) Pharmacists in healthcare

• (30:30 ) Challenges in treating bladder infections

• (31:30 ) Coordinated care in Ontario

• (32:00 ) Primary care models and their effectiveness

• (36:30 ) Patient accountability in healthcare

• (39:30 ) Obesity and public health

• (45:30 Benefits of the Denmark healthcare system

• (49:00 ) Private vs. public healthcare systems

• (54:30 ) Burnout in the medical profession

• (58:00 ) Closing thoughts 

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Dr. Mike Hart is a Cannabis Physician and Lifestyle Strategist. In April 2014, Dr. Hart became the first physician in London, Ontario to open a cannabis clinic. While Dr. Hart continues to treat patients at his clinic, his primary focus has shifted to correcting the medical cannabis educational gap that exists in the medical community. 

Connect on social with Dr. Mike Hart:

Social Links:

• Instagram: @drmikehart

• Twitter: @drmikehart

• Facebook: @drmikehart

Episode: http://sites.libsyn.com/480792/159-canadas-healthcare-crisis-a-compassion-deficit-and-a-leaderless-system

Podcast: https://www.mikehartmd.com/