Le Conseil d'administration de l'AFMC est constitué de 21 administrateurs, dont les doyens des 17 facultés de médecine et de quatre représentants du public. L’inclusion de représentants du public dans son Conseil d'administration permet à l'AFMC de bénéficier de l'apport de meneurs chevronnés qui apportent des perspectives importantes pour l'avancement de la médecine universitaire au Canada.

Nous mettrons en vedette les représentants du public qui siègent au Conseil d'administration de l'AFMC dans nos bulletins d'information. Lisez notre entretien avec Anne McFarlane.

Qu'est-ce qui a suscité votre intérêt pour devenir représentante du public au sein du Conseil d'administration de l'AFMC?  

My experiences working in government and on various health related Boards have made clear to me that high quality, socially responsible medical education is vital to maintaining the health of Canadians as well as the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.   I wanted to be in a position to provide advice on healthcare priorities as well as public sector realities to a respected and active Board which has the mandate and tools to support health system improvements.

À votre avis, pourquoi est-il important que le point de vue des représentants du public soit pris en compte au sein du Conseil d'administration?  

A public perspective can be helpful for a variety of reasons.  Hearing from public members can provide insights into the patient’s actual experience of healthcare in different parts of the country.  Having public members with expertise in a variety of areas can improve the quality of decision making.  As well, Boards composed solely of academic experts run the risk of failing to communicate to the public clearly or failing to capture the public’s attention on issues of importance.  The more the public is able to see medical education as responsive and relevant to their healthcare experience, the more support medical education can expect from the public.

Quels sont, selon vous, les plus grands défis de la médecine universitaire au Canada? 

The need for more physicians, primarily family physicians, will be both a challenge for classroom instruction but also for practicum placements in an already stressed system.  Another challenge will be the need to keep pace with the introduction of advances in healthcare both for new learners and to support physicians through continuing medical education.  Finally, responding to the levels of stress experienced by both students and providers working in the health system is and will continue to be a challenge.

Parmi les travaux entrepris par l'AFMC, lesquels suscitent chez vous de l'enthousiasme ou de la joie?  

The focus on issues like addictions and mental health which are pressing concerns in so many communities across the country.  As well, I was pleased to see the focus on support of research and innovation.   The rapidity with which we are seeing emerging technologies in healthcare calls for both national and international collaboration and AFMC can play a significant role here.

Anne McFarlane est une fonctionnaire à la retraite et ancienne vice-présidente de l'Institut canadien d'information sur la santé. Elle siège aux conseils d'administration de l'autorité sanitaire de l'île de Vancouver et de la Société canadienne du sang. Anne a été auparavant membre du conseil d'administration de Providence Healthcare à Vancouver et de la Michael Smith Foundation.