A recent report reveals significant disparities in access to primary care across Canada, with approximately 5.8 million adults still lacking a family doctor. Conducted by Dr. Tara Kiran, a family physician in Toronto, in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association, the Our Care survey illustrates that certain provinces and territories, particularly New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec, struggle more than others like Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
Unequal Access Across Provinces
The survey, which gathered responses from 16,876 Canadian adults, found that only 65.9 per cent of individuals in New Brunswick reported having a primary care clinician. This figure suggests that around 240,000 people in the province are without a family doctor. Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician in New Brunswick, expressed concern over this statistic, noting, “It’s not surprising to see that we’re lagging behind other provinces with regards to access to family physicians.” She attributed this shortfall to insufficient investment in primary care over the years, which has exacerbated the access crisis.
In stark contrast, Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba reported significantly higher access rates, with 87.4 per cent, 88.5 per cent, and 88.8 per cent of respondents respectively indicating they have a clinician. Dr. Kiran pointed out that various factors could contribute to these differences, including the prioritisation of team-based care in provinces like Ontario and Alberta, as well as more competitive compensation packages that attract healthcare professionals.
The Implications of Limited Access
The absence of a family doctor can have dire consequences for Canadians’ health, particularly for those with chronic conditions. A recent study from Ontario highlighted this risk, revealing that individuals who went without a family doctor for two or more years had a twelvefold increase in mortality risk and a nearly sixteenfold increase in the likelihood of premature death. Such alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for reform in primary care access.
The CMA report also examined whether individuals could receive care for urgent issues within the same or the following day, revealing that only 37 per cent of Canadians felt they could do so. Ontario fared slightly better than the national average at 44.6 per cent, while provinces like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland fell below this threshold. Dr. Kiran noted, “It’s not that the doctor doesn’t want to do a good job and see the patient; it’s just that we haven’t designed our systems to be able to make that easy.” She advocates for increased investment in inter-professional teams to enhance the capacity of healthcare providers.
After-Hours Care: A Growing Concern
The report also assessed after-hours care, discovering that only 31 per cent of Canadians reported their primary care clinic could assist with urgent matters outside regular hours. Dr. Eddy Lang, an emergency room physician in Calgary, highlighted that these circumstances often lead patients to seek emergency care, even when it may not be necessary. “If they’re coming to see us, they genuinely feel they have an urgent problem that requires attention,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, the survey found that among those with access to primary care, approximately 67 per cent felt that their clinician supported their overall well-being. However, overall satisfaction with the primary care system remains low, with only 27.8 per cent of respondents expressing contentment with the current state of healthcare services.
Dr. Babin expressed cautious optimism regarding the future of primary care in Canada: “I think the conclusion is that we haven’t been doing OK for many years, but I think there is optimism. We just have to go with it and try to do as much as we can with the investments we have now.” Dr. Kiran echoed this sentiment, emphasising that patient satisfaction encompasses more than merely having a clinician. “People are looking not just for a family doctor, but for timely access, the ability to manage their health records, and to be treated with respect,” she stated.
Why it Matters
The findings of this report illuminate the urgent need for a cohesive national strategy to enhance access to primary care across Canada. Disparities in healthcare access not only affect individual health outcomes but also place an increasing burden on emergency services and healthcare systems overall. As Canadians continue to advocate for more equitable healthcare, it is crucial for policymakers to prioritise investments in primary care, ensuring that all citizens can receive the timely and respectful medical attention they deserve.
