Access to primary healthcare in Canada is a pressing issue, with a recent report revealing significant disparities across provinces and territories. According to findings from the Our Care survey, led by Toronto family physician Dr. Tara Kiran in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association, approximately 5.8 million adults in Canada continue to live without a family doctor. The report highlights stark differences in access, particularly between regions such as New Brunswick and Newfoundland compared to more privileged areas like Ontario and British Columbia.
Varied Access Across the Country
The Our Care survey, which gathered responses from 16,876 adults nationwide, aimed to understand the availability of family doctors and nurse practitioners. Alarmingly, only 65.9 per cent of respondents in New Brunswick reported having a primary care clinician, indicating that an estimated 240,000 individuals in the province lack necessary healthcare access. Dr. Lise Babin, a family physician in New Brunswick, expressed concern over these figures, noting the province’s ongoing struggles with primary care investment.
“It’s not surprising to see that we’re lagging behind other provinces with regards to access to family physicians,” Babin commented, emphasising the need for increased funding and resources in the healthcare system.
In contrast, provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba reported much higher clinician access rates, with 87.4 per cent, 88.5 per cent, and 88.8 per cent of residents respectively having a family doctor. Dr. Kiran pointed out that these disparities may arise from better investments in team-based care models and more attractive remuneration for healthcare providers in those regions.
Consequences of Lack of Primary Care
The absence of a family doctor can have dire health implications, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions. Research conducted in Ontario supports Dr. Babin’s assertions: those without a family physician for two or more years were found to have a twelve-fold increased risk of death and nearly sixteen-fold higher chances of premature death.
The survey also assessed how effectively Canadians could obtain care for urgent concerns, finding that only 37 per cent felt they could receive timely care. While Ontario’s figures stood slightly above the national average at 44.6 per cent, provinces such as Nova Scotia and Newfoundland lagged behind.
Dr. Kiran noted that the design of healthcare systems often hinders timely patient access. “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,” she explained. A recommended solution is to invest in inter-professional teams to enhance the capacity of family doctors and nurse practitioners.
After-Hours Care and Overall Satisfaction
The report also examined after-hours care, revealing that only 31 per cent of Canadians reported having access to urgent care outside of regular hours. The statistics were particularly low in British Columbia and Atlantic Canada, highlighting the widespread deficiency in after-hours services.
Dr. Eddy Lang, an emergency room physician in Calgary, remarked on the importance of urgent care resources, stating, “If they’re coming to see us, they genuinely feel they have an urgent problem that requires attention.”
Despite the challenges, the report found that about 67 per cent of those with primary care access felt their clinician supported their general well-being. However, overall satisfaction with the primary care system remains low, with just 27.8 per cent of Canadians expressing contentment with its functionality.
An Optimistic Outlook
Dr. Babin remains hopeful for improvement, stating, “I think the conclusion is that we haven’t been doing okay for many years, but I think there is optimism.” She believes that with strategic investments, the situation can improve. Dr. Kiran added that satisfaction levels indicate that Canadians want more than just a family doctor; they seek timely access, respect, and the ability to manage their health information effectively.
Why it Matters
The findings of this report underscore a critical gap in Canada’s healthcare system, revealing that millions of Canadians are without essential primary care access. This situation not only jeopardises individual health outcomes but also places immense pressure on emergency services and the overall healthcare infrastructure. As discussions around healthcare reform continue, it is imperative that policymakers recognise these disparities and implement targeted solutions that ensure equitable access to primary care for all Canadians, regardless of their region. The health of a nation is reflected in the access its citizens have to preventative and ongoing care, making this an issue that demands urgent attention.
