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As the Canadian healthcare system grapples with the pressing issue of primary care accessibility, a recent report reveals significant disparities in access depending on the province or territory. The findings, derived from the Our Care survey led by Toronto-based family physician Dr. Tara Kiran in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association, indicate that approximately 5.8 million Canadian adults lack a primary care provider. Alarmingly, residents in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and the Yukon are found to have notably less access to family doctors compared to those in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
The Survey Insights
The Our Care survey collected responses from a vast cross-section of 16,876 adults across the nation, asking whether they had a regular family doctor, nurse practitioner, or a designated primary care facility. The statistics reveal a concerning trend, particularly in New Brunswick, where only 65.9 per cent of respondents reported having access to a primary care clinician. If extrapolated, this suggests nearly 240,000 individuals in the province are potentially without necessary medical support.
Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician in New Brunswick, expressed her concerns regarding these findings. “It’s not surprising to see that we’re lagging behind other provinces with regards to access to family physicians,” she noted. “The lack of investment in primary care over the past years has certainly contributed to this ongoing issue.”
In stark contrast, Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba report much higher rates of access, with 87.4 per cent, 88.5 per cent, and 88.8 per cent of respondents, respectively, indicating they have a clinician to turn to for their healthcare needs. Dr. Kiran pointed out that various factors contribute to these differences, including investments in team-based care models and competitive remuneration that attract healthcare professionals to these provinces.
The Health Risks of Lack of Access
The implications of not having a family doctor can be severe, particularly for individuals with chronic health conditions. A recent Ontario study highlighted that those with multiple chronic illnesses, who were without a family doctor for two or more years, faced a twelve-fold increase in their risk of death and a nearly sixteen-fold increase in the risk of premature death.
This startling data underscores the urgent need for systemic changes within the healthcare landscape, as Dr. Babin emphasised the potential health crises that can arise from inadequate access to primary care.
Barriers to Urgent Care
The report also explored the capacity for patients to receive urgent care when necessary. Nationally, only 37 per cent of individuals reported being able to access care for urgent concerns on the same or following day. Ontario fared slightly better, with 44.6 per cent of respondents able to secure timely attention, while provinces like Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Northwest Territories lagged behind the national average.
Dr. Kiran explained that the issue is not rooted in a lack of desire among healthcare providers to assist patients. “It’s simply that our systems have not been designed to facilitate easy access,” she said. One recommended solution is increasing investment in inter-professional teams, which could enhance the capacity of family doctors and nurse practitioners to better serve the population’s needs.
Additionally, after-hours care presents another challenge, with only 31 per cent of Canadians indicating that they could receive assistance from their primary care clinic during evenings or weekends.
Patient Satisfaction and the Future
Despite the alarming statistics, the survey found that among those with access to primary care, approximately 67 per cent felt their healthcare provider supported their overall well-being. However, overall satisfaction with the primary care system remains low, with only 27.8 per cent of respondents expressing satisfaction with its functioning.
“I think the conclusion is that we haven’t been doing okay for many years, but I remain optimistic,” Dr. Babin stated. “We need to make the right investments and leverage the resources we have to effect meaningful change.”
Dr. Kiran echoed this sentiment, adding that people are not merely seeking a family doctor; they desire timely access to care, respect in their interactions, and the empowerment to manage their health effectively.
Why it Matters
The findings from the Our Care survey illuminate a critical public health concern that extends beyond mere statistics; they highlight a fragmented healthcare system that is failing many Canadians. As the nation strives for universal access to healthcare, understanding the regional disparities in primary care accessibility is essential. Immediate and sustained investment in primary care infrastructure is not just a policy necessity but a moral obligation to ensure that all citizens can receive the medical attention they deserve. The health of the nation depends on it.
