Canada is often celebrated for its universal healthcare system, but behind the headlines lies a growing crisis: Canadians face some of the longest wait times in the developed world for medically necessary care. Unlike other nations that combine public and private healthcare to improve access, Canada strictly limits private insurance for services covered under the public system—even in urgent or life-threatening situations.
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Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, from heatwaves and floods to wildfires. This World First Aid Day, themed “First Aid and Climate Change,” is a reminder that first aid knowledge is essential for every household.

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Arthritis Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the millions of Canadians living with arthritis and the critical role healthcare professionals play in their care. From early detection to ongoing management, your guidance can make a lasting difference in helping patients stay active, independent, and informed.

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At Orleans Family Health Clinic, we know that early detection of serious illnesses can significantly improve health outcomes. Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition, affects over 150,000 people in the UK and thousands more in Canada—but it’s often misdiagnosed or detected too late. That’s why it’s important to recognize subtle, early signs—such as changes in your handwriting.

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At Orleans Family Health Clinic, we know that modern parenting often involves navigating a digital world. Many parents try their best to limit screen time around their children, but a growing body of research now suggests that our digital habits — especially our use of social media — may affect our children in more subtle and lasting ways than we realize.

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The relationship between patients and healthcare providers has always been complex. In recent years, rising patient expectations—fueled by technology, online information, and consumer-driven thinking—have reshaped the way patients approach their care. On the positive side, many patients are more engaged, informed, and proactive about their health. However, this shift has also introduced new challenges, including frustration when expectations cannot be met.

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The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has issued new guidance that every patient with cardiovascular disease should hear: vaccines are an essential part of heart health.

The five recommended vaccines for adults with heart disease are:
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Do babies and toddlers really get long-COVID? According to the RECOVER–Pediatrics cohort study, the answer is yes—but their symptoms may look quite different from those in preschoolers, school-aged children, or adolescents.

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s effort to understand long-COVID across all age groups. Researchers developed age-specific indices to identify symptoms most likely to indicate long-COVID in children as young as infants.

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Canadians want—and deserve—a strong, high-functioning healthcare system. Much of the conversation focuses on issues like appropriate funding, seamless electronic medical records, support for family doctors, and balanced government oversight. While these elements are essential, one critical factor often overlooked is patient accountability.
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A recent Alberta government audit has reignited the national conversation about health care reform in Canada. The review of 13 Alberta medical clinics charging membership fees found no significant evidence of patients being billed for publicly insured treatments — but it did find that patients paying for memberships are receiving more thorough and comprehensive care.

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