A recent report from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) sheds light on the troubling disparities in access to primary healthcare among Canadians, revealing that approximately 5.8 million adults still lack a family doctor. The findings demonstrate significant variances between provinces and territories, indicating that while some areas, like Ontario and Alberta, boast high access rates, others, such as New Brunswick and Newfoundland, lag significantly behind.
Varied Access: A Provincial Snapshot
The CMA’s “Our Care” survey, which gathered responses from 16,876 adults nationwide, paints a stark picture of the primary care landscape in Canada. New Brunswick recorded one of the lowest access rates, with only 65.9 per cent of respondents indicating they have a primary care clinician. This translates to an estimated 240,000 individuals potentially navigating the healthcare system without a family doctor.
Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician in New Brunswick, expressed her concern over the state’s lack of investment in primary care, which she believes has directly contributed to these alarming statistics. “It’s not surprising to see that we’re lagging behind other provinces with regards to access to family physicians,” she noted, emphasising the need for increased investment in primary healthcare infrastructure.
In stark contrast, Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba reported significantly higher access rates, with 87.4 per cent, 88.5 per cent, and 88.8 per cent of respondents, respectively, stating they have a clinician. The differences can largely be attributed to various factors, including team-based care models and competitive remuneration packages that attract healthcare professionals to these regions.
The Consequences of Lack of Access
The implications of not having a family doctor are profound, particularly for individuals with chronic health conditions. Research from Ontario has underscored this issue, revealing that those who go without a family doctor for two years or more face a staggering 12-fold increase in the risk of mortality. Dr. Babin highlights the potential health risks of lacking a primary care provider, stressing that timely access to healthcare is vital for maintaining overall well-being.
The survey also examined the ability of Canadians to receive urgent care, with only 37 per cent reporting they could see their clinician for urgent health concerns the same or the following day. Ontario performed better than the national average at 44.6 per cent, while provinces like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland fell short. Dr. Tara Kiran, who contributed to the survey, remarked that the challenges are not due to a lack of effort from healthcare providers but rather the systemic design that hinders efficient patient access.
A Call for Systemic Change
The report further highlighted after-hours care, revealing that only 31 per cent of Canadians could receive urgent assistance from their primary care clinic outside regular hours. British Columbia, Alberta, and Atlantic Canadian provinces reported significantly lower figures than the national average. Dr. Eddy Lang, an emergency room physician in Calgary, emphasised the importance of creating better systems that can guide patients to appropriate care without overwhelming emergency departments.
Despite the challenges, the survey found that among those with access to primary care, approximately 67 per cent felt their clinician supported their overall well-being. However, overall satisfaction with the primary care system remains low, with just 27.8 per cent of Canadians expressing contentment with how the system operates. Dr. Babin stated, “The conclusion is that we haven’t been doing okay for many years, but I think there is optimism,” acknowledging the potential for change with targeted investments.
Why it Matters
The findings from the CMA’s report highlight a critical issue within Canada’s healthcare system: access to primary care is not uniform but rather a patchwork of availability that varies dramatically across provinces. This inequity has real-world consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations who may be disproportionately affected. Addressing these gaps requires not only increased investment in healthcare infrastructure but also a systemic overhaul to ensure that all Canadians have timely access to the care they need. The health of a nation should not depend on a postcode, and as such, it is imperative that policymakers prioritise equitable access as a fundamental tenet of Canadian healthcare.
