As Canadian authorities strive to enhance access to family doctors, a recent study highlights significant disparities across provinces and territories regarding primary care availability. The findings, derived from the Our Care survey led by Toronto physician Dr. Tara Kiran in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), indicate that approximately 5.8 million adults are without a family doctor or primary care provider. The report underscores that regions such as New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and two northern territories experience notably lower access rates compared to provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
A Fragmented Healthcare Landscape
Dr. Kiran articulates the stark reality: “This report illustrates that Canada does not function as a single national healthcare system; rather, we are operating with 13 distinct primary care frameworks.” The survey engaged 16,876 adults nationwide, querying whether they had a designated family doctor, nurse practitioner, or primary care facility for their healthcare needs.
New Brunswick emerged as one of the provinces with the most critical shortages, with only 65.9 per cent of respondents affirming they had a primary care provider. If these statistics reflect the entire population, this translates to an estimated 240,000 individuals lacking access to essential healthcare services. Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician in New Brunswick, expressed her concern: “It’s not surprising that we are lagging behind other provinces regarding access to family physicians. The data has consistently pointed to this issue, and the absence of significant investment in primary care in New Brunswick over recent years has undeniably contributed to our current predicament.”
In contrast, provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba reported much higher figures, with 87.4 per cent, 88.5 per cent, and 88.8 per cent of respondents, respectively, confirming they had access to a clinician.
The Health Risks of Inaccessibility
The implications of not having a family doctor extend beyond mere convenience; they can severely impact health outcomes. Dr. Babin cited a study from Ontario, which revealed that individuals with multiple chronic conditions who were without a family doctor for two years or more faced a staggering 12-fold increase in mortality risk and an almost 16-fold increase in the likelihood of premature death.
The CMA report also examined the accessibility of urgent care, with only 37 per cent of Canadians indicating they could receive timely attention, either on the same day or the next. Ontario fared slightly better than the national average at 44.6 per cent, while regions like Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Northwest Territories reported even lower rates.
Dr. Kiran pointed out that the challenges faced by doctors in providing timely care stem from systemic issues rather than a lack of dedication. “It’s not that doctors are unwilling to provide quality care; rather, our healthcare systems have not been designed to facilitate easy access,” she explained. One key recommendation to enhance service delivery is increased investment in inter-professional teams, which would enable family doctors and nurse practitioners to expand their capacity to manage patient care effectively.
After-Hours Care and Patient Satisfaction
The report also investigated after-hours care, revealing that only 31 per cent of Canadians could access assistance for urgent issues outside regular office hours. Provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, and those in Atlantic Canada ranked significantly below the national average in this area.
Dr. Eddy Lang, an emergency physician in Calgary, commented on the situation: “Patients who come to us typically feel they have an urgent issue that requires immediate attention. This illustrates a broader challenge in our healthcare system regarding urgent care accessibility.”
Encouragingly, the report noted that of those with access to primary care, about 67 per cent felt their provider supported their overall well-being. However, patient satisfaction remains a concern, with only 27.8 per cent of respondents expressing contentment with the primary care system overall.
Dr. Babin emphasised the need for ongoing investment and improvement: “We’ve not been performing adequately for years, but I remain hopeful. With the right funding and initiatives, we can make meaningful advancements in healthcare access.”
Dr. Kiran echoed this sentiment, explaining that the quest for effective primary care goes beyond simply having a clinician. “People seek timely access, the ability to view their health records, respectful treatment, and the empowerment to manage their health effectively with the necessary information,” she stated.
Why it Matters
The findings of this report serve as a clarion call for urgent action in Canada’s healthcare system. As access to primary care remains uneven across the country, millions of Canadians are left vulnerable, particularly those with chronic health conditions. Addressing these disparities is not merely a matter of policy reform; it is a crucial step toward improving health outcomes and ensuring that every Canadian has the opportunity to receive the comprehensive care they deserve. This situation demands a collaborative response from federal and provincial governments, healthcare providers, and communities to build a more equitable and responsive healthcare system for all.
