Hundreds of individuals in search of a family physician queued for hours on Saturday morning at a health facility in the western part of Ottawa. The Active Care clinic in Kanata issued a call for new patients, aiming to enroll 400 to 600 individuals, with many being matched with a physician assistant (PA), as per a medical secretary at the clinic.
Alison Boughey, who waited in line for nearly four hours, highlighted the significance of obtaining a family doctor after being without one for about five years following her doctor’s relocation to Trenton, Ontario. This scenario resonated with others in line who also faced challenges in securing a family physician in the city.
The province of Ontario has been grappling with a doctor shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) revealed that over 2.5 million Ontarians currently lack access to a family doctor. The OMA acknowledged recent investments in primary care as a positive step but emphasized that the healthcare demands of the population surpass the available resources.
According to an OMA factsheet, Ontario has an estimated 2.8 physicians per 1,000 residents, with 40% contemplating retirement. Rijwal Chirammal, who is in search of a new family physician as his current one is retiring, expressed the challenges faced by many in finding adequate healthcare services.
Boughey and Chirammal were among the many individuals who eagerly awaited confirmation of a doctor or PA assignment, with a waiting period of about three weeks. The Active Care clinic in Kanata, where the registration took place, currently has approximately eight physicians and three PAs who collaborate to enhance patient care and alleviate wait times.
Physician assistants are instrumental in providing various medical services, including physical examinations, referrals, and certain prescriptions, under the supervision of physicians. However, they are not authorized to prescribe narcotics, as clarified by Belinda Manuel, the clinic’s secretary.