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Canadian Medical Association
Canadian Medical Association

Physician Changemakers

Dr. Sandy Buchman

Dr. Sandy Buchman

Back in 1984, Dr. Sandy Buchman was busy building his career as a family physician. Just three years out of medical school, he had a practice in Mississauga, Ontario, treating mostly young families. But one day, a very sick young man walked into his clinic and unknowingly changed his career path.

Dr. Sandy Buchman's full story

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2000–2026 Statistics Canada projections

~330,000

Canadians will die each year by 2026 — likely translating into increased demand for high-quality palliative care services

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2010 Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada report

5

people on average are affected by a single death, meaning the accessibility of high-quality palliative care has an impact on millions of Canadians

CMA activity and submissions

2020

December 5, 2020

The Canadian Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Competency Framework

This CMA-endorsed guide, created by Health Canada and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, provides health professionals, educators and volunteers with a curriculum and references for a minimum national standard for palliative care in Canada.

2017

May 27, 2017

Advance care planning

The CMA’s policy on advance care planning (ACP) offers guidance to physicians and medical learners on key considerations for ACP as well as recommendations for institutions and governments.

2015

October 3, 2015

Palliative Care

The CMA’s palliative care policy states that all Canadians nearing end of life should have access to comprehensive, quality palliative care services and calls on governments to develop a strategy that ensures equitable access and adequate standards.

August 26, 2015

End of life care resolutions adopted at 2015 General Council

At the CMA’s 148th Annual Meeting in Halifax, CMA General Council adopts nine resolutions on end-of-life care — including to advocate for a medical assistance in dying framework for physician participation.

May 1, 2015

Palliative Care: CMA’s National Call to Action

Palliative Care: Canadian Medical Association’s National Call to Action includes 10 recommendations for physicians, continuing care facilities, long-term care homes and other stakeholders to improve the quality of and access to palliative care in Canada 

2014

August 18, 2014

End of life care resolutions adopted at 2014 General Council

At CMA’s 147th Annual Meeting in Ottawa, CMA General Council adopts eight resolutions on end-of-life care — including to support physicians to follow their conscience when deciding whether to provide medical aid in dying

July 1, 2014

End of life care: A National Dialogue. CMA member consultation report

End-of-life care issues including medical assistance in dying and palliative care are the subject of six face-to-face meetings with CMA members and CMA-organized online dialogue sessions

June 1, 2014

End of life care: A National Dialogue

Canadians share their perceptions of euthanasia and physician-assisted dying, palliative care and advance care directives with CMA during CMA’s cross-Canada “town hall” sessions

Tools & Resources

Resources

Self-directed learning on palliative care

In collaboration with the CMA, Pallium is providing health care professionals with free access to ten online palliative care modules. These modules are designed as an introduction to the palliative care approach and focus on important knowledge and skills required in providing this type of care.

Resources

National call to action for physicians on palliative care

Learn how to take a more active approach to palliative care, whether you’re working in the area or are an advocate for improved access and quality. This report includes examples of innovative care delivery models, lists training opportunities and profiles physician leaders in palliative care.

Resources

Policy on palliative care

This CMA policy sets out goals for palliative care and defines the CMA’s position on access to palliative services, physician education, the role of government and more. It includes background on palliative care in Canada and the CMA’s recommendations for addressing existing challenges.

Related resources

End-of-life care resolutions

Read the end-of-life care resolutions adopted by General Council at the 148th Annual Meeting of the CMA.

National dialogue highlights

Watch highlights from the CMA’s national dialogue on end-of-life care recorded in St. John’s, Vancouver, Whitehorse, Regina and Mississauga.

Canadian physicians’ views on end-of-life care

Find out how physicians responded to end-of-life care questions in this infographic, based on responses to CMA online polls.

Driving meaningful change in health care

Advocating on issues that matter to the profession and their patients

Seniors Care

As Canada’s population ages, wait times and health care costs will continue to climb. We want a national seniors strategy, and investments into more effective and accessible seniors care.

Learn more

Medical Assistance in Dying

From a position of neutrality — supporting members who provide services for medically assisted dying and those who choose not to — the CMA is driving dialogue about this complex end-of-life intervention.

Learn more

Explore all the issues we're working on 

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