A recent report has shed light on the significant disparities in access to primary care across Canada, revealing that approximately 5.8 million adults still lack a family doctor. The findings, derived from the Our Care survey led by Toronto family physician Dr. Tara Kiran in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association, underscore a troubling division between provinces and territories. While some regions, like Ontario and Alberta, report high levels of access, others, particularly in the Atlantic provinces and parts of Quebec, struggle significantly.
Varied Access Across Provinces
The survey, which encompassed responses from 16,876 Canadian adults nationwide, found that access to primary care is not uniform. In New Brunswick, for instance, only 65.9 per cent of respondents reported having a primary care clinician. If this statistic is extrapolated to the entire population, it suggests that around 240,000 individuals in the province are without essential medical support.
Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician in New Brunswick, expressed her concern, stating, “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 in New Brunswick over recent years has certainly contributed to our struggles.”
In stark contrast, Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba boast much higher figures, with 87.4 per cent, 88.5 per cent, and 88.8 per cent of respondents, respectively, reporting access to a clinician.
The Health Implications of Lack of Access
The consequences of inadequate access to family doctors can be dire, particularly for those with chronic health conditions. A recent study from Ontario corroborates this, revealing that individuals with multiple chronic illnesses who have been without a family doctor for two years or more face a twelve-fold increase in mortality risk, alongside a nearly sixteen-fold greater chance of premature death.
Dr. Kiran emphasised the importance of not only having a primary care clinician but also being able to receive timely care. The CMA report highlighted that only 37 per cent of Canadians with a clinician could secure appointments for urgent concerns on the same day or the following day. Ontario outperformed the national average at 44.6 per cent, while Nova Scotia and Newfoundland lagged behind.
“It’s not that doctors don’t want to provide care; rather, our healthcare systems lack the design to facilitate easy access,” Dr. Kiran explained. A potential solution lies in bolstering inter-professional teams to enhance the capacity of family doctors and nurse practitioners.
After-Hours Care and Patient Satisfaction
The report also examined after-hours care, discovering that only 31 per cent of Canadians could obtain assistance for urgent issues outside regular weekday hours. Provinces such as British Columbia and those in Atlantic Canada scored significantly lower than the national average.
Dr. Eddy Lang, an emergency room physician in Calgary, noted that patients often present to emergency departments because they genuinely believe their health concerns require immediate attention. He remarked, “If they’re coming to see us, they truly feel they have an urgent problem that needs addressing.”
Despite the challenges, the report found that among those with primary care access, around 67 per cent felt their clinician supported their overall well-being. Nonetheless, overall satisfaction with the primary care system remains low, with only 27.8 per cent of Canadians expressing contentment with how it operates.
Reflecting on the findings, Dr. Babin remained cautiously optimistic about the future, stating, “We haven’t been doing okay for many years, but there is reason to be hopeful. With the right investments, we can make a significant difference.”
Dr. Kiran further noted that satisfaction levels did not correlate strongly with the number of individuals having a family doctor. “People seek not just a clinician but timely access, the ability to manage their records, and respectful treatment that empowers them in their health journeys,” she stated.
Why it Matters
The disparities in access to primary care across Canada underline the urgent need for a cohesive national healthcare strategy. As millions remain without a family doctor, the implications for public health are profound, particularly for vulnerable populations with chronic conditions. Addressing these inequities is not merely a matter of policy; it is a moral imperative that affects the well-being of thousands of Canadians every day. Ensuring equitable access to healthcare is essential for fostering a healthier society and improving health outcomes across the nation.
