As Canada aims to enhance primary healthcare accessibility, a recent report highlights significant provincial disparities in access to family doctors. The findings of the Canadian Medical Association’s (CMA) Our Care survey reveal that approximately 5.8 million Canadian adults currently lack a regular family doctor. Notably, residents in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and two territories are particularly affected, while provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba show markedly better access rates.
Regional Disparities in Healthcare Access
Dr. Tara Kiran, a key contributor to the CMA survey, underscored the report’s implications, stating, “The findings really illustrate how we don’t have one national healthcare system; instead, we have 13 or more primary care systems.” The survey included responses from 16,876 adults across Canada, assessing whether they had a consistent family doctor, nurse practitioner, or primary care facility.
Among the provinces, New Brunswick ranked particularly low, with only 65.9 per cent of respondents confirming they had access to a primary care clinician. This statistic suggests that approximately 240,000 individuals in the province might be without essential healthcare support. Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician based in New Brunswick, expressed concern about the province’s lagging position. “It’s not surprising that we’re behind other provinces in access to family physicians,” she noted. “Years of insufficient investment in primary care have certainly contributed to this situation.”
Higher Access Rates Elsewhere
In stark contrast, Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba reported significantly higher access rates, with percentages of 87.4, 88.5, and 88.8 respectively. Dr. Kiran attributed these variations to several factors, including investments in team-based care initiatives and competitive compensation that attracts healthcare professionals to these provinces.
The consequences of lacking a family doctor can be severe, particularly for Canadians with chronic health conditions. A recent Ontario study corroborated Dr. Babin’s concerns; it highlighted that individuals without a family doctor for two or more years faced 12 times the risk of death and nearly 16 times the risk of premature death.
Urgent Healthcare Access Challenges
The CMA report also examined the ability of those with a clinician to obtain care for urgent issues on the same day or the next. Nationally, only 37 per cent reported they could access such timely care. Ontario fared better than the national average at 44.6 per cent, while Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Northwest Territories reported below-average figures.
Dr. Kiran pointed to systemic inefficiencies as a contributing factor, stating, “It’s not that doctors are unwilling to see patients promptly; our healthcare systems simply aren’t designed to facilitate that level of access.”
Further analysis revealed that only 31 per cent of Canadians reported having after-hours care available from their primary care clinics, with British Columbia, Alberta, and Atlantic provinces scoring significantly lower than the national average.
Patient Satisfaction and Future Optimism
Despite these challenges, about 67 per cent of patients with access to primary care indicated that their clinician supported their overall well-being. However, overall satisfaction with the primary healthcare system remains low, with only 27.8 per cent of Canadians expressing contentment with its functioning.
Dr. Babin reflected on the situation, stating, “The conclusion is that we haven’t been doing well for many years, but there is reason to be optimistic. We need to make the most of the investments we have now and strive for improvement.” Dr. Kiran echoed this sentiment, emphasising that satisfaction with primary care extends beyond merely having a physician. “Canadians want timely access, respectful treatment, and the ability to manage their health effectively with the necessary information,” she said.
Why it Matters
The findings of this report reveal critical inequalities in healthcare access across Canada, impacting millions of individuals. With approximately 5.8 million adults lacking a family doctor, it’s evident that the nation must address these disparities urgently. Investing in primary care infrastructure, promoting team-based healthcare models, and enhancing patient engagement are essential steps towards creating a more equitable healthcare system. As the Canadian government seeks to improve healthcare access, the voices of those who are underserved must be at the forefront of policy discussions. The health of Canadians, particularly the most vulnerable, depends on it.
