As Canada grapples with the pressing issue of primary healthcare access, a recent survey highlights significant disparities among provinces and territories. The findings, published by Dr. Tara Kiran, a family physician in Toronto, in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association, reveal that approximately 5.8 million adults in Canada remain without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Access varies considerably, with residents of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories facing the most acute shortages compared to their counterparts in Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
The Survey Insights
The ‘Our Care’ survey collected responses from over 16,000 Canadian adults, assessing their access to primary healthcare. Alarmingly, only 65.9 per cent of respondents in New Brunswick reported having a primary care clinician, translating to an estimated 240,000 individuals without necessary medical support. Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician in New Brunswick, expressed her concerns: “It’s not surprising to see that we’re lagging behind other provinces with regards to access to family physicians. The lack of investment in primary care has undoubtedly contributed to this ongoing issue.”
In stark contrast, provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba reported high access rates, with 87.4 per cent, 88.5 per cent, and 88.8 per cent of adults, respectively, having a primary care provider. Dr. Kiran noted that varying levels of investment in team-based care and competitive compensation for doctors may play a crucial role in these differences.
Health Consequences of Limited Access
The ramifications of not having a family doctor extend beyond inconvenience. Dr. Babin highlighted the potential health risks for individuals, particularly those with chronic conditions. Supporting her claims, a study from Ontario indicated that individuals with multiple chronic illnesses who lacked a family doctor for two years or more faced twelve times the odds of mortality and nearly sixteen times the risk of premature death.
The survey also examined whether individuals with a clinician could obtain urgent care the same or following day. Just 37 per cent of Canadians reported such access, with Ontario exceeding the national average at 44.6 per cent. Conversely, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Northwest Territories fell below this average, further underscoring the urgent need for systemic improvements.
Challenges in After-Hours Care
Another critical aspect of care accessibility is after-hours support. The survey revealed that only 31 per cent of Canadians could access urgent assistance from their primary healthcare provider outside regular business hours. Areas such as British Columbia, Alberta, and several Atlantic provinces ranked significantly lower in this regard. Dr. Eddy Lang, an emergency room physician in Calgary, pointed out that while some patients genuinely require urgent care, many come to emergency departments because they have nowhere else to turn.
Low Satisfaction Rates Among Patients
Despite some progress, overall satisfaction with the primary care system remains low, with only 27.8 per cent of Canadians expressing contentment with their healthcare experience. Dr. Kiran pointed out that satisfaction is not solely linked to having a doctor; people desire timely access, respectful treatment, and empowerment in managing their health.
Dr. Babin remains cautiously optimistic about future improvements, stating, “We just have to go with it and try to do as much as we can with the investments we have now. I remain hopeful that we will see a difference.”
Why it Matters
The disparities in access to family doctors across Canada underscore a critical public health challenge that demands immediate attention. The evident gaps in care not only jeopardise individual health outcomes but also place an additional strain on emergency services and healthcare systems as a whole. As the government considers reforms and investments in primary care, it is vital to ensure that all Canadians, regardless of their province or territory, receive equitable access to healthcare services. Addressing these disparities is not merely a matter of policy; it is a fundamental issue of health equity that impacts the well-being of millions across the nation.
