How much money have organizations like Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care raised for Canadian refugees who need medical care? Setting up a charity can be a huge undertaking, so how about physicians lobby larger medical organizations, like the Canadian Medical Association, to take a stand and do some real work?1
Respectfully, Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care likely has many members. Most doctors in Canada are not in want of more money. How many members would sign a public pledge refusing to charge refugee claimants any fee? How many members have put pressure on their own hospitals to treat refugee claimants free of charge?
I suspect that the general public sees only a bunch of rich doctors asking other people to put up more money. This isn’t a great image. Lobbying the government is good, but I think what will get the public to join our cause is putting our money where our mouths are. Health advocacy demands that we as doctors set an example, which is a huge challenge to be sure, but one that is noble and worthwhile.
Doctors frequently admonish the public about bad eating habits and obesity. How much do we as a group publicly show that we incorporate healthy living in our lives? How many physicians are obese? How many smoke? How many never exercise? Doctors have advocated loudly for safe cellphone use in cars, yet many doctors use cellphones while driving. When will we demand higher standards for ourselves, before we demand it of others?