Canadian Medical Association President Dr. Anne Doig Media Statement - August 23, 2010

OTTAWA, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ - My comments will be brief, so that we can move to questions, but I just wanted to state how happy the physicians of Canada were to have Dr. Wong-Rieger here this morning to bring the perspective of patients.

As she mentioned, putting patients and their needs first really is what we are all about as physicians. That is why our effort to transform our health care system has at its core and guiding principle, the patient-centred approach.

However, to get to the next level and create a system that delivers patient-centred care, we must now work together across our profession, and most importantly, with our patients.

An important component of that effort will be the CMA's Charter for Patient-Centred Care.

I am very pleased that our colleagues passed resolutions that will allow the CMA to build on progress achieved to date with the Patient Charter and take it further.

We will use this direction and we will continue to reach out to other stakeholders, organizations and patients to further develop, strengthen and share our Charter for Patient-Centred Care.

SOURCE CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION