Canadian Medical Association

In 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada, in a unanimous decision, struck down the Criminal Code's absolute prohibition on physician-assisted death.[14] As a result, the CMA developed foundational principles for medical aid in dying[15] to guide discussions with its members and with the federal government on ensuring patient dignity and upholding the rights of both patients and physicians. Consultations included submissions and presentations to the federal External Panel on Options for a Legislative Response to Carter v. Canada,[16] the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights[17] and Health Canada.[18]

The CMA continues to work with government to address outstanding issues including medically assisted dying for mature minors and those who have mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition.

In 2015 the CMA embarked on its first major public mobilization efforts. With a federal election happening that year, the CMA saw an opportunity to align with the public on an issue that mattered to both the public and physicians. Hence, Demand a Plan was born.

Demand a Plan is a public campaign spearheaded by the CMA with the aim of having all levels of government work together to develop a comprehensive national seniors strategy. Over 74,000 people have signed up in support of the campaign.[19]

The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, in a report in March 2018,[20] adopted many of the recommendations made the previous year by the CMA on ways to better serve seniors with improvements to housing, income security and quality of life.[21]

The success of Demand a Plan brought on a new era of public mobilization at the CMA. Recognizing that there are many more issues that need to be rallied around, the CMA launched a second public mobilization platform called CMA Health Advocates. This platform is designed to bring Canadians together around a shared goal: improving health care. It enables them to engage and connect with their local politicians to share their health and health care stories. During the 2019 federal election, the CMA Health Advocates platform will be tracking each party's platform promises and creating opportunities for the public and its members to show their support.

Choosing Wisely Canada was launched by Dr. Wendy Levinson in 2014 in partnership with the CMA to help physicians and patients reduce unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures, and ensure high-quality care.[22] Central to the campaign are lists developed by more than 45 specialty societies to encourage critical thinking that will avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful tests and procedures.[23] The federal government's Advisory Panel on Healthcare Innovation urged governments in all jurisdictions to support the initiative.[24]

The CMA continues to advocate that Canadians should have access to medically necessary pharmaceuticals that are safe, effective, available when and where needed and reasonably priced.[25]

The CMA is an active member of the Pan-Canadian Collaborative on Education for Improved Opioid Prescribing, which is chaired by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.[26] The CMA's position is that opioids are important for managing pain, but prescribing them must be based on evidence and include careful assessment and monitoring.[27] The CMA endorsed the collaborative's clinical guideline for opioids,[28] initially published by CMAJ and updated in 2017 by the Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Centre.[29]

The CMA identified potential risks of cannabis use and has addressed them in submissions to House of Commons standing committees.[30][31][32] Following the introduction of the Cannabis Act, the association provided guidance to the federal government on a regulatory framework to protect children and youth.[33]

Advances in technology could bridge the physical divide between doctors and patients, thereby reducing wait times[34] and health care costs. Technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and robotics hold significant promise for patients and physicians, particularly for a country like Canada with its large land base and numerous remote communities.[35]

In early 2019, the CMA launched a Virtual Care Task Force alongside the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada to explore the barriers affecting the effective implementation of virtual care in the Canadian health system. Recommendations are expected in early 2020.

Physician health and wellness has become a key priority of the CMA. In 2018, a national snapshot report released by the CMA showed that while physicians report high resiliency, they also experience high levels of burnout and depression, particularly residents and women.[36]

To help respond to this growing issue, the CMA has implemented a physician health and wellness department led by Dr. Caroline Gérin-Lajoie. An environmental scan is underway to further identify key issues and possible solutions.

In 2009, the CMA was criticized for partnering with Pfizer to launch a continuing medical education program.[37]

The CMA's subsidiary company Joule was created on Sept. 1, 2014. It delivers continuing education to doctors, resources for accessing medical information online, clinical information resources and summaries of the latest clinical evidence. CMAJ is published by Joule. Joule's grant program funds CMA member innovations that potentially may assist in healthcare advancements.[39]