This page provides information to Canadians about the Canadian Medical
Association. |
Stated as one of the oldest organizations in Canada, the Canadian Medical
Association (CMA) was created shortly after Confederation in 1867. Counting
over 70,000 doctors, it is not only a very old group, but also the largest
association of doctors in the country. The CMA has been behind some very
important movements and changes in the medical field, and has a strong
voice in the amendment of laws and systems that provide medical care to
Canadians.
Campaigns and Lobbying
The Canadian Medical Association represents itself as a group
of doctors working in the best interests of patients; their aim is to
ensure that quality medical care is available to all. One of their most
recent campaigns has been to raise awareness of the shortage of doctors
in Canada and the number of people who do not have access to a family
physician for regular medical attention. The association works with the
government when it comes to addressing health-related issues.
The CMA is an activist group that lobbies the government to push for
changes in the medical system. While some of their concerns regard patient
care or lack of care, their efforts also have a political side. The CMA
takes a strong stance on the state of Canada’s current medical care
system, and although it has historically supported the existing system,
it has recently shifted towards making changes to that system.
Services for Doctors and More
In addition to their efforts to resolve national medical issues,
the Canadian Medical Association provides a wide variety of services to
its member physicians including insurance and financial services, seminars,
assistance with managing a medical practice and more. Members can receive
discounts on a wide range of products and services aimed at helping doctors
to better handle patient loads, travel requirements, and other related
needs. The CMA offers benefits not only to practicing doctors but also
to students and retired physicians as well.
The CMA publishes a magazine called
Canadian Health, which provides valuable health information to the general
public, along with interesting articles. They also publish a medical journal
called The Canadian Medical Association Journal, which reports on the
latest medical research and information.
MD Management is the CMA’s insurance and financial services company.
It provides investment and banking services to CMA members as well as
financial advice, planning and insurance coverage.
Current Programs
While relentlessly supporting doctors’ efforts to provide
quality care, the CMA is currently involved in actively lobbying to improve
health care for all Canadians, and has implemented various programs, such
as:
- Voices Into Action: a call to Canadian citizens to
work with the association to push for changes to the health care system.
- MD-MP Contact Program: an agenda that gets local
doctors in touch with their MP in order to communicate and advocate
for needed change and assistance at a grassroots level.
- Member Outreach Program: a plan designed to connect
with member doctors so as to get their input into the CMA’s activities
and programs
- Wait Time Alliance: a program co-founded by the
CMA, which seeks to reduce the problem of long wait times for needed
care.
The Canadian Medical Association provides a wide variety of tools, programs
and services to assist doctors in doing their job well, and to help ensure
all Canadians have access to the kind of quality care they expect and
deserve.
|
