For a non-urgent medical concerns, two in three Canadians who currently have a family physician (66%) would prefer to be seen by their family physician within two to four days rather than be seen by a healthcare provider they don’t know within hours (25%). Eight per cent are unsure which they would prefer. Residents of Alberta are more likely to prefer to be seen by their family physician (73%) compared to those from Ontario (61%).
Over seven in ten Canadians say that the government has the most responsibility for improving access to healthcare through investing additional resources and creating more capacity in the system (72%). This was followed by 13 per cent who said patients by reducing reliance on the system or being more selective with issues that need to be seen, and seven per cent who said healthcare workers by working more hours or offering more care. Eight per cent were unsure who had the most responsibility.
Nanos conducted an online representative non-probability survey of 2,010 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between February 8th to 10th, 2023. The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada.
The research was commissioned by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and was conducted by Nanos Research.
To read the full report, click here.