Winter 2021 (Volume 31, Number 4)
Update from the AMRQ
By Frédéric Morin, MD
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Like all of our Canadian colleagues, Quebec’s rheumatologists
are hoping we are approaching the end
of this long pandemic cycle. Nonetheless, there are
many challenges and there is considerable work to be
done in La Belle Province. In particular, the Association des
médecins rhumatologues du Québec (AMRQ) has submitted a
project, through the Institut de la pertinence des actes médicaux
(IPAM) set up by the Quebec government, with the
goal of better supporting the clinical work done by rheumatologists.
This is a major undertaking in which the Ministère
de la Santé et des Services sociaux could reinvest more
than $7 million to support the clinical practice of rheumatologists
by providing them with practice supports.
These supports could be not only nurses, but also physiotherapists,
occupational therapists, nursing assistants,
and other allied health professionals. Eventually, more
than 70 full-time equivalent practice supports could be
deployed for the 140 rheumatologists in Quebec. This is
a complex process but one that is vital to increasing the
public service provided by rheumatologists. Other specialists
have benefited from technological upgrades to
improve their practices. Rheumatologists need to have
a supportive environment in order to achieve a optimal
practice. For too long, we have remained sclerotic in a
20th-century environment. Despite a wage reduction
agreement between medical specialists and the Quebec
government, this promising project will hopefully be
completed by 2022.
At the AMRQ's virtual annual conference in September
2021, we had the pleasure and honour of presenting a
merit scholarship to our colleague, Dr. Évelyne Vinet, a
rheumatologist at the McGill University Health Centre in
Montréal. Though still in the early stages of her career,
Dr. Vinet has set herself apart through her influential expertise
in reproductive health for women with rheumatic
diseases, in addition to being a valued resource for her
colleagues throughout Quebec.
In closing, I would like to recognize the extraordinary
contribution of my colleague, Dr. Nathalie Langlais, to
Quebec's rheumatology community. Nathalie was the Association’s
first female president and has set herself apart
through her commitment, integrity and ability to move
issues forward. Although she had to leave her role after
only one year for professional reasons, we are all extremely
grateful for her involvement in promoting rheumatology in
Quebec.
The year 2022 will mark the Association des médecins rhumatologues
du Québec’s 25th anniversary. We hope we can
celebrate in person.
Hoping to see you all soon,
Frédéric Morin, MD
President, Association des médecins rhumatologues du Québec
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