Découvrez des histoires inspirantes de médecins spécialistes qui façonnent l'avenir des soins de santé au Québec. Leur objectif ? Améliorer l’accès aux soins pour toute la population. Apprenez-en plus sur ces médecins qui se battent pour un système de santé véritablement au service des patients.
Innovative solutions to reduce tonsillectomy risks
Medical specialists aren't just experts in their fields, they're dedicated physicians who continually push boundaries to deliver more effective, patient-centred care. Dr. Sam Daniels of the Montreal Children's Hospital and Dr. Luc Monette of the Hôpital de Gatineau are two great examples of this dedication and drive. They imported a tonsil-removal technique from the United Kingdom that greatly reduce the risk of complications resulting from tonsil surgery.
Many children have their tonsils removed, but the procedure isn't without risks. Postoperative bleeding can lead to serious complications. That's why medical specialists Dr. Daniel and Dr. Monette sought a safer method of performing tonsil removals. They found the answer overseas: a technique that involves removing tonsils with a heated device without damaging the surrounding tissues.
Bringing the new technique to Quebec was no easy task. Since no local institutions offered training on how to use this innovative tonsil removal method, Dr. Monette had to travel to London for training.
The pair of otolaryngologists then had to face the bureaucratic machine back home. There were several administrative challenges to overcome, including obtaining the equipment needed to perform the technique. In the end, it fell on the two doctors to negotiate discounts with the supplier and find funding to purchase the equipment and treat patients. But they overcame one obstacle after another to make Quebec one of the leading provinces to offer this tonsil removal technique as part of a top-quality treatment approach.
Results that speak for themselves
This innovative method hasn't just led to a lower rate of medical complications, it has also had concrete benefits for all patients and their families. When the new technique is used, patients typically recover in just 5 days instead of 14. This means that parents don't need to take as much time off work and kids can get back to school 9 days earlier than before.
Specialist physicians: Committed to teaching and acting as role models
Dr. Monette has been training colleagues working in roughly a dozen hospitals across Canada since 2011. Even though the method provides clear advantages, certain administrative obstacles have continued to crop up along the way, with some hospitals being reluctant to adopt the technique because of the cost of the surgical devices.
At the forefront of change
Dr. Monette's story illustrates how specialist physicians drive innovation in the healthcare system, and how invested they are in ensuring that their patients receive the best possible care. In the face of adversity, Quebec's medical specialists are tireless patient advocates.
Other inspiring stories
The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) is made up of nearly 11,000 specialist physicians representing 59 recognized medical specialties. Our mission is to defend and support specialist doctors who are members of our affiliated associations and work in the public health system, while promoting quality care and services for the people of Quebec.