Hundreds of individuals in Ottawa’s western part queued for hours on Saturday morning at a health facility in search of a family doctor. The Active Care clinic in Kanata announced that it could accommodate 400 to 600 new patients, with many being assigned a physician assistant (PA), as mentioned by a clinic medical secretary.
Alison Boughey, who waited in line for nearly four hours, expressed the significance of obtaining a family doctor after being without one for approximately five years due to her previous doctor relocating to Trenton, Ontario. This situation resonated with others in line who had encountered difficulties finding a family physician in the city.
The doctor shortage issue in Ontario has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 2.5 million Ontarians lacking access to a family physician, according to the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). While recent investments in primary care have been acknowledged as a step in the right direction, the OMA emphasized that the healthcare demands of the population surpass the available resources.
Rijwal Chirammal shared his experience of his family doctor closing his practice, leading him to seek a replacement during the ongoing doctor shortage. Despite having a family doctor currently, the impending closure of his doctor’s practice has prompted Chirammal to look for alternative care options.
The Active Care clinic in Kanata, under the management of Belinda Manuel, disclosed that they presently have approximately eight physicians and three PAs. PAs collaborate with physicians to expedite patient care and enhance access to emergency services. They are capable of performing physical exams, issuing referrals, and prescribing certain medications, excluding narcotics.
In light of the prevailing circumstances, individuals like Marlene Vieira, who relocated to Ottawa from Haliburton Highlands, expressed their struggle in securing a family doctor despite their anticipation of better healthcare accessibility in urban settings. Vieira acknowledged the challenging reality but emphasized the necessity of adapting to the prevailing circumstances.
Overall, the demand for family physicians remains high in Ontario, necessitating innovative solutions and increased support to address the persistent doctor shortage issue.
