Hundreds of individuals in search of a family doctor endured lengthy queues on Saturday morning at a health facility in the west end of Ottawa. Active Care clinic in Kanata issued a call for new patients, aiming to enroll 400 to 600 individuals, with many being assigned a physician assistant (PA), as per a clinic medical secretary. One of the individuals in line, Alison Boughey, highlighted her five-year struggle without a family physician after her previous doctor relocated to Trenton, Ont., several hours away. This predicament was echoed by others in the line who found it challenging to secure a family doctor in the city.
The doctor shortage issue in Ontario has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) disclosed to CBC via email that over 2.5 million Ontarians are currently without access to a family physician. While acknowledging recent investments in primary care as a positive step, the OMA emphasized that the healthcare demands of the population surpass the available resources.
According to an OMA factsheet, Ontario has an estimated ratio of 2.8 physicians per 1,000 individuals, with 40 percent of them contemplating retirement. Rijwal Chirammal, who is in search of a new family physician due to his current doctor closing the practice, expressed his concerns during the registration process. Despite having a family doctor, Chirammal stressed the urgency of finding a replacement as his current doctor is ceasing operations by the end of the month.
The Active Care clinic in Kanata, as confirmed by Belinda Manuel, the clinic secretary, currently has approximately eight physicians and three PAs. Physician assistants play a crucial role in collaborating with physicians to streamline patient care, reduce wait times, and enhance access to emergency medical services. PAs are authorized to conduct physical examinations, issue referrals, and prescribe specific medications, excluding narcotics, as outlined by Manuel.
The challenging circumstances faced by those seeking a family physician were evident as hopeful individuals waited in line for hours, underscoring the ongoing struggle in accessing essential healthcare services. The situation reflects the prevailing issue of doctor shortages in the region, prompting individuals to endure long waits in the hope of securing a primary care provider.
