Published Jun 14, 2025 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 3 minute readHave you ever worked in an environment where you daily interviewed clients by appointment? I was employed with Service Canada for 36 years. During that time my role as employment and insurance officer was to interview clients for jobs, training and eligibility for programs such as employment insurance.They say people are at their worst when they are sick or unemployed. I believe this is very true! Many of my appointments were complex, dealing with various issues such as quitting a job. There were lots of tears and very sad stories.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentOur decision-making required extensive knowledge of the Employment and Insurance Acts. The employment and insurance officers carried very large caseloads. This required countless phone calls and in-person interviews by appointment, as well as dealing with clients who dropped into the office with questions and concerns. Interviews ranged from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the need of the claimant or client. We were the frontline staff and their first point of service.The clients’ very livelihood depended on us. In many cases, we were the key to their futures. It was our caring and kindness that made the difference in their lives. We took the time that was necessary to listen and took positive action.It is not easy working day in and day out dealing with problems and people who sometimes are not on their best behaviour. Also, the stress mounts when the waiting room is full and staff are overwhelmed. We also had to adjust our days to fit in emergency cases who needed attention. In addition, we had staff meetings that were mandatory to attend.Article contentDoes this sound familiar to you? I am endeavouring to draw an analogy between my career and that of a doctor. Doctors have way more responsibility than I ever had. Their decisions are critical in the care of patients. Interviews are intense as symptoms are discussed and patients examined.Doctors refer patients for blood work and countless x-rays, helping to solve the medical mystery as to why the patient is feeling ill. Thousands of prescriptions are written yearly. Reams of forms and online entries have to be completed in a timely fashion. Referrals to other doctors are common. Phone calls and emergency appointments are made bearing bad news such as a cancer diagnosis.I totally disagree with Mark McLane, minister of health and wellness. Medical interviews take time. Fifteen minutes is paying lip service to a patient who is showing signs of distress. It takes time to properly evaluate the situation and suggest the best plan of action.Article contentDo you really want patients to feel like they are Campbell soup cans on a conveyor belt? Do you not value the importance of family doctors and their contribution to health care on P.E.I.? Do you not think they are owed a lifestyle where they can have a work and life balance? Must they go home to their families exhausted?A rushed appointment can cause a doctor’s mistake and a person’s life. The reason why men and women choose this career is because they are caring individuals with a desire to use their skills and knowledge to medically assist those that rely on them for their medical needs.Thousands of people on P.E.I. are waiting to be assigned to a doctor. The decision the health department has made is going to burn out our doctors and drive them away from P.E.I.I happen to be a very fortunate Islander who has a family doctor, who by the way, helped save our son’s life when he had a serious case of pneumonia. Our doctor visited him in the hospital and followed his case, making referrals to other doctors and deciding on medications. He is a conscientious and caring doctor. I personally feel badly that the Medical Society has to consider suing the P.E.I. government to make things right!Please don’t treat our family doctors with disrespect, giving them a 15-minute stop watch. Perhaps one day you will have a family emergency and be grateful for the extra time your doctor took to ensure you or your loved one received the best possible medical care.Marlene Bryenton,Health advocate,CharlottetownArticle content
LETTER: 15 minutes not long enough for doctor’s appointment
