Insight: What 2024 tells us about the state of health care in Canada
Press Release
December 20, 2024
The health care crisis is not over, but there was good news this year. Here’s what 2024 revealed about momentum for change — and ongoing challenges.
1. Patients are still struggling to access care when they need it.
We’ve all heard the statistic: more than 6.5 million Canadians don’t have a regular care provider. As reported by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the number of family doctors has dropped for the first time in decades. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Federal, provincial and territorial governments are collaborating on solutions, including team-based care models and incentives for doctors to work in rural areas.
2. If we want to help doctors focus on patients instead of paperwork, it’s time to call in the robots.
Doctors continue to report an excessive amount of time on unnecessary administrative tasks — time that could be spent on patient visits. In 2024, the CMA pushed for the elimination of sick notes across Canada and supported better connectivity between medical records systems, which doctors use every day to share important information about patients with other health providers. This year also saw a surge in the use of AI in health care, as well as discussions about what that will mean for the future.
3. Climate change has created a new reality in health care, and we’re not ready for it.
Wildfires, flooding and other extreme climate events are the new norm. We need to prepare for the health threats that come with it — and protect our health care system from climate shocks. Part of that work includes advocating for planetary health at an international level. This year, the CMA participated in COP16 and COP29 to highlight the critical link between climate and human health, and continued our annual contribution to The Lancet’s recommendations for Canada.
4. Reconciliation in health care is a shared responsibility.
The legacy of colonialism and systemic racism continues to impact the health of Indigenous Peoples. In September, the CMA apologized for its role, and the role of the medical profession, in past and ongoing harms to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in the health system. The apology paved the way for the CMA’s ReconciliACTION plan, which outlines how we will advance Indigenous health and wellbeing, inspire the medical profession’s journey to truth and reconciliation, and advance internal reconciliation at the CMA.
5. Health care is a team sport. Recruiting providers in siloes isn’t working.
The ability to find a doctor depends on where you live — and that needs to change. One way to tackle excessive wait times and widespread family physician shortages is to improve physician mobility, allowing doctors to practise in multiple jurisdictions when needed. The CMA continues to call on governments to implement pan-Canadian licensure. Last year’s launch of the Atlantic Physician Registry showed what’s possible.
6. Physician burnout is a health systems issue — it won’t change unless we change the system.
The 2024 International Conference on Physician Health in Halifax sold out in days, drawing physicians and researchers from 11 countries. That’s an indication of how the culture of medicine is changing to support physician wellness. To keep track of both progress and areas for improvement in the profession, the CMA will launch the next national survey of physician health in 2025 — and is working towards greater physical, psychological and cultural safety in all health settings.
7. Health misinformation is getting worse. We need to fight back.
It’s tough to know what’s true and what’s not when you’re wading through the flood of online health information. This year, the CMA launched Healthcare for Real to provide easy-to-understand answers to questions about Canada’s health system.
8. Governments are investing in health care. Now we need to hold them accountable for change.
With a federal election looming in 2025, tracking how health care funding is spent is more important than ever. Earlier this year, the CMA called for the creation of a Chief Health Accountability Officer to track progress on health reform nationwide and report on the efficiency of health care spending. Implementing better accountability measures is the best way to ensure transparency and meet critical health care targets.
Read more of the CMA’s 2024 highlights in our year in review
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