Ontario's doctors invite patients to share their views on health care

TORONTO, March 17 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors are giving a voice to patients across the province with their latest public awareness campaign. The campaign features real people sharing their journeys through Ontario's health care system and highlights the unique relationship between patients and their doctors.

"Patients know firsthand how their doctor's care can make a difference at a critical moment in their lives," said Dr. Suzanne Strasberg, President of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). "By working with patients, together we can continue to build a stronger system that provides the highest quality of care for patients."

Building on the first phase of the successful campaign, "Your Life is Our Life's Work", which featured physicians sharing their stories, the second phase will feature patient experiences with such issues as family planning, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and disease management. This campaign is also encouraging patients to share their views on health care by completing a short survey on the OMA website (www.oma.org). This feedback will help Ontario's doctors develop priorities for the health care system in advance of the 2011 provincial election.

"By encouraging a dialogue with our patients and understanding their needs, we will develop a strategy that we hope will strengthen our health care system in the future," said Dr. Strasberg. "Ontario's doctors are committed to working closely with patients, the government, and others in the health care community to make Ontario's health system work even better."

The new campaign can be seen across the province in transit shelters and subway stations, billboards, in regional and provincial newspapers, online news websites, and on a number of television stations.

To learn more about patients' stories, visit www.oma.org

For further information: or to schedule an interview, please contact OMA Media Relations, [phone] or 1-800-268-7215 ext 2862