Distance from Family Doctors Hinders Healthcare Access, Ontario Study Reveals

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reveals that living more than 30 km from a family physician significantly hinders access to health care in Ontario.

• The study highlights that access to primary care in Canada has declined over the last decade, a trend worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Despite longer travel times, many patients in Ontario continue to see their general practitioner, indicating a strong attachment to existing family medicine providers.
• The research underscores that distance to health care services is a crucial determinant of health access, affecting emergency department visits and overall patient outcomes.