As efforts to enhance primary healthcare access for Canadians continue, a new report reveals significant disparities across the provinces and territories. The findings 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 adults in Canada lack access to a family doctor. The report exposes a stark contrast between regions, with areas such as New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and two territories faring worse compared to provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
Primary Care Access: A Provincial Snapshot
The Our Care survey included responses from 16,876 adults nationwide, asking whether they had a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner. The results revealed that New Brunswick ranked among the lowest, with only 65.9 per cent of respondents reporting having a primary care clinician. This figure suggests that roughly 240,000 individuals in the province may be without access to essential healthcare services.
Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician in New Brunswick, expressed concern over the province’s lagging healthcare access, attributing the situation to insufficient investment in primary care over recent years. “The numbers have been telling us for years that we’re falling behind other provinces,” she stated. “The lack of investment has definitely contributed to our struggles.”
In contrast, provinces such as Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba reported higher access rates, with 87.4 per cent, 88.5 per cent, and 88.8 per cent of respondents respectively indicating they had a clinician. Dr. Kiran suggested that factors influencing these disparities could include more robust investments in team-based care and attractive compensation packages that draw healthcare professionals to these regions.
The Health Implications of Inadequate Access
The lack of a family doctor can have dire consequences for Canadians’ health, particularly for those with chronic conditions. A recent Ontario study corroborates this, revealing that individuals with multiple chronic illnesses who go without a family doctor for two or more years face a twelve-fold increase in mortality risk and a nearly sixteen-fold rise in the likelihood of premature death.
The CMA report also assessed the ability of those with a clinician to receive urgent care within a day. Nationally, only 37 per cent indicated they could secure such timely assistance. Ontario’s figures surpassed the national average at 44.6 per cent, while Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Northwest Territories reported lower rates.
Dr. Kiran noted the systemic barriers that hinder timely access to care. “It’s not that doctors aren’t willing to help; it’s just that our systems are not designed to facilitate that ease of access,” she explained.
After-Hours Care: A Growing Concern
The report further examined after-hours care, revealing that only 31 per cent of Canadians could access support for urgent issues outside regular hours from their primary care clinics. Provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and those in Atlantic Canada ranked significantly lower than the national average in this regard.
Dr. Eddy Lang, an emergency room physician in Calgary, highlighted the importance of emergency services, stating, “When patients come to see us, they genuinely feel they have an urgent problem that requires attention.” This underscores the critical role emergency departments play in the healthcare system, especially when primary care access is limited.
Despite these challenges, among those with access to primary care, around 67 per cent reported that their clinician supported their overall well-being. However, satisfaction with the primary care system remains low, with only 27.8 per cent of Canadians expressing contentment with its performance.
A Path Forward: Optimism Amidst Challenges
Dr. Babin remains hopeful about the future, stating, “While we haven’t been doing well for many years, I believe there is optimism. We need to focus on making the most of our current investments and strive for improvement.” Dr. Kiran echoed this sentiment, emphasising that access to a family doctor is merely one facet of the issue. “People are not just looking for a family doctor; they want timely appointments, access to their medical records, and to be treated with respect,” she said.
Why it Matters
The findings of this report are crucial for understanding the persistent inequalities in Canada’s healthcare system. With millions lacking access to primary care, it is imperative for policymakers to address these disparities urgently. Improving access is not merely about increasing the number of healthcare providers; it requires a comprehensive overhaul of the existing systems to ensure that every Canadian can receive timely, respectful, and effective care. As we move forward, the commitment to invest in primary healthcare will be vital for the health and well-being of all Canadians, particularly those in underserved regions.
