Access to primary healthcare remains a pressing issue in Canada, as a recent study reveals significant disparities across provinces and territories. The Our Care survey, led by Toronto family physician Dr. Tara Kiran in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association, indicates that approximately 5.8 million adults in Canada are still without a family doctor. The findings highlight a stark contrast in access levels, underscoring the complexity of the healthcare landscape in the country.
Varied Access Across Regions
The survey, which gathered responses from 16,876 Canadians, shows that access to primary care is not uniform. In New Brunswick, for example, only 65.9 per cent of respondents reported having a primary care clinician. If this percentage reflects the entire population, it suggests that around 240,000 individuals in the province lack a family doctor. Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician in New Brunswick, remarked on the implications of these figures, stating, “It’s not surprising to see that we’re lagging behind other provinces with regards to access to family physicians.”
In stark contrast, provinces like 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 indicating they have a clinician. This disparity raises questions about the structural challenges in healthcare delivery across Canada. Dr. Kiran attributes these differences to various factors, including investment in team-based care and competitive compensation that attracts healthcare professionals.
Impact on Health Outcomes
The absence of a family doctor can have dire consequences for individuals, especially those with chronic health conditions. A recent Ontario study corroborates Dr. Babin’s concerns, revealing that residents who go without a family doctor for two or more years face a staggering twelve-fold increase in the risk of death and nearly sixteen times the likelihood of premature death. This highlights the critical role that continuous primary care plays in ensuring the health and longevity of Canadians.
Furthermore, the report sheds light on urgent care access, revealing that only 37 per cent of Canadians could secure same-day or next-day appointments for urgent concerns. While Ontario reported a higher-than-average figure of 44.6 per cent, provinces like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland fell below this threshold. Dr. Kiran emphasised the need for systemic improvements, stating, “It’s not that the doctor doesn’t want to do a good job and see the patient, it’s just that we haven’t designed our systems to be able to make that easy.”
After-Hours Care and Patient Satisfaction
Access to after-hours care also emerged as a significant issue, with only 31 per cent of Canadians reporting that their primary care clinic could assist with urgent matters outside regular hours. This lack of availability raises concerns about patient safety and the adequacy of emergency services, particularly in provinces that rank significantly lower than the national average.
Despite these challenges, the report found that among those with primary care access, 67 per cent felt that their clinician supported their overall well-being. However, overall satisfaction with the primary care system remains low, with only 27.8 per cent of Canadians expressing contentment with the current state of affairs. Dr. Babin noted, “I think the conclusion is that we haven’t been doing OK for many years, but I think there is optimism.”
Dr. Kiran echoed this sentiment, pointing out that satisfaction levels do not solely depend on having a family doctor. Canadians are seeking timely access to care, the ability to manage their health records, and respectful treatment as essential components of a functional healthcare system.
Why it Matters
The findings from this report underscore the urgent need for a cohesive national strategy to address the inequities in primary care access across Canada. As millions remain without essential healthcare services, the implications for public health are profound. Ensuring equitable access to family doctors is not merely a logistical issue; it is a matter of life and death for many Canadians. The call for investment in healthcare infrastructure and resources is louder than ever, as stakeholders must come together to create a more effective and accessible primary care system that serves all Canadians, regardless of where they live.
