A recent report reveals a stark contrast in access to primary healthcare across Canada, with nearly 5.8 million adults still lacking a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The findings, derived from the Canadian Medical Association’s Our Care survey, underscore the fragmented nature of Canada’s healthcare system, highlighting significant disparities between provinces and territories. While some regions like Ontario and Alberta report high levels of access, others, particularly in the Atlantic provinces, struggle to provide adequate care.
Access to Primary Care Varies Widely
The survey gathered responses from 16,876 Canadians, assessing whether they had a regular primary care provider. The results indicate that only 65.9 per cent of New Brunswick respondents reported having a primary care clinician. If this figure is representative of the entire population, it suggests that approximately 240,000 individuals in the province lack access to essential healthcare services.
Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician based in New Brunswick, commented on the province’s troubling statistics. “It’s not surprising to see that we’re lagging behind other provinces regarding access to family physicians. The lack of investment in primary care in New Brunswick over recent years has undoubtedly contributed to this situation,” she stated.
Conversely, provinces such as Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba report significantly higher access rates, with 87.4 per cent, 88.5 per cent, and 88.8 per cent of respondents indicating they have a clinician, respectively. Dr. Tara Kiran, who collaborated with the CMA on the survey, noted that factors such as team-based care models and competitive compensation are likely influencing these disparities.
The Health Implications of Insufficient Access
The ramifications of lacking a family doctor can be severe, particularly for individuals managing chronic health conditions. Dr. Babin referred to a recent study from Ontario, which found that residents with multiple chronic illnesses who went without a family doctor for two years or more had a twelve-fold increase in mortality risk and a nearly sixteen-fold increase in the likelihood of premature death.
The report also examined the availability of urgent care, revealing that only 37 per cent of Canadians with access to a primary care provider could receive timely care for urgent concerns. While Ontario outperformed the national average at 44.6 per cent, provinces like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland lagged behind.
“It’s not simply a matter of the physician’s willingness to provide care; our healthcare systems are not designed to facilitate timely access,” Dr. Kiran explained.
Urgent Care and After-Hours Support
The survey further explored the provision of after-hours care, with only 31 per cent of Canadians reporting that their primary care clinic could assist with urgent issues outside of regular hours. Provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, and those in Atlantic Canada performed notably below the national average in this regard.
Dr. Eddy Lang, an emergency room physician in Calgary, acknowledged that patients often turn to emergency services out of genuine concern for urgent health issues. “If they’re coming to see us, they genuinely feel they have an urgent problem that requires attention,” he said.
Despite these challenges, the survey reported that among those who do have access to a primary care provider, around 67 per cent felt their clinician was supportive of their overall well-being. Nevertheless, satisfaction with the primary care system remains low, with only 27.8 per cent of respondents expressing a positive view of its effectiveness.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Investment
Dr. Babin remains cautiously optimistic about the future of primary care in Canada. “I think the conclusion is that we haven’t been doing okay for many years, but there is optimism. We need to make investments and do as much as we can with the resources available,” she remarked.
Dr. Kiran added that improving access to care involves more than just increasing the number of healthcare providers. “People want more than just a family doctor; they seek timely access, the ability to manage their health records, and to be treated with respect,” she emphasised.
Why it Matters
The findings of this report highlight a critical issue within the Canadian healthcare system: the inequitable access to primary care that persists across regions. As the nation grapples with these disparities, it is imperative that stakeholders prioritise investment in healthcare infrastructure and policies that foster equitable access. Improving primary care access is not just a matter of convenience; it directly impacts the health outcomes of millions of Canadians. Without concerted efforts to bridge these gaps, the health of our population will continue to suffer, exacerbating the challenges faced by those most vulnerable in our society.
