Despite an increase in the number of physicians in Alberta, a new survey reveals that hundreds of thousands of residents still lack a primary care provider, and even those with a family doctor often face difficulties securing timely appointments. The survey, conducted by ThinkHQ in May, highlights a growing reliance on emergency rooms and walk-in clinics to fill the gap.
Survey findings on family doctor access
According to the survey, 83% of Albertan adults reported having a family doctor, and most of those saw their primary caregiver within the past year. However, 16% of those with a family doctor said it was challenging or very challenging to get an appointment when needed. Among respondents without a family doctor, nearly half said they felt they didn't need one, while about one-third cited a lack of family doctors accepting new patients in their area.
Shift to walk-in clinics and emergency rooms
The survey found that 78% of those who visited walk-in clinics did so because they could not get a timely appointment with their family doctor. Hospital emergency room visits were reported by 30% of respondents, and walk-in clinic visits by 28%. Additionally, 9% saw a nurse practitioner, 76% attended a medical laboratory, 57% a diagnostic clinic, and 47% saw a specialist. Women (95%) were more likely than men (85%) to have used the healthcare system, and young people aged 18 to 34 were the most likely to use walk-in clinics.
Physician perspective on access challenges
Dr. Brian Wirzba, president of the Alberta Medical Association, commented on the findings: "More than eight out of 10 Albertans saw a family doc in the last year, and when they did reported high-quality care — when they could access it. The real challenge we have is not the quality of care, but that access. When many describe their access as inconsistent or poor, you know that pushes them to other types of care." He noted that visits to walk-in clinics, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals are markers of a system that is trying to do its best but is not optimized.
Increasing physician numbers but persistent gaps
The number of Albertans with a primary care physician has increased by 2% year-over-year, and the province has added between 600 and 1,000 new doctors. Despite this growth, the survey indicates a disconnect between physician supply and patient access, with many residents still unable to secure regular care.
