Addressing unmet need for primary care in Canada

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Primary care is crucial for health improvement, patient/clinician experience, cost savings, and equity.
• Canada, formerly a leader, now struggles with primary care access for millions.
• Current policy responses are fragmented and insufficient to address the primary care crisis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight Canada's failure to provide universal primary care access.
• To advocate for a clear policy goal of "primary care for all" in Canada.
• To underscore the negative consequences of underinvestment in primary care.

Main Methods:

• This study is a policy analysis and commentary.
• It reviews the current state of primary care in Canada.
• It compares Canada's situation to other countries that have achieved universal access.

Main Results:

• Millions of Canadians lack access to primary care.
• Canada's current approach is incremental and piecemeal.
• Other nations have successfully implemented universal primary care.

Conclusions:

• Without a "primary care for all" policy goal, Canada will continue to underperform.
• Underinvestment leads to escalating costs and overcrowded emergency departments.
• Urgent commitment is needed to ensure equitable, high-quality primary care access for all Canadians.