TORONTO, Ont., – The Ontario Medical Association released new data on the ongoing family doctor shortage and the growing challenges patients in Ontario face in accessing a family doctor in the future.
More than 2.5 million Ontarians currently do not have access to a family physician. A new survey of family doctors in Ontario shows 52 per cent are considering retirement or plan to retire in the next five years.
At the same time, only 42 per cent of Ontario medical students surveyed said they are considering pursuing family medicine as a career, but only half of those reported they would want to provide comprehensive cradle-to-grave primary care.
When patients can't access a family doctor, minor health concerns can escalate into serious conditions. Emergency rooms remain overcrowded. Chronic diseases go unmanaged. This new data paints a stark picture of the health care challenges that lie ahead without urgent action.
OMA President Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman held a media briefing with Dr. David Barber, Chair of the Section on General & Family Practice, Rhea Saini, Vice President of Education for the Ontario Medical Students Association (OMSA) and Gabrielle Trépanier, Vice President of Advocacy for OMSA.
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario’s 50,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario’s health-care system.
For more information, please contact:
Adam Miller
OMA Media Relations
media@oma.org