Primary care is the first point of contact for many people seeking health-related services. It’s the foundation of our healthcare system. Yet, an estimated 6.5 million people in Canada – 2.3 million in Ontario – do not have a family doctor.
Building on our literature review last year on the barriers and enablers of access to primary care, we conducted a qualitative study of primary care access with equity-deserving groups. Through interviews and focus groups, our study captures the experiences of low-income Ontario residents who were East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Black and 2SLGBTQ+, as well as of service providers.
The results highlight potential system-level solutions for improving equitable access to primary care, including enhancing and better resourcing community-based models and multidisciplinary teams to provide culturally responsive care; addressing intersecting socioeconomic barriers and support system navigation; prioritizing anti-discrimination and cultural safety (including by expanding language services); and improving education and training for providers to strengthen cultural competence and safety.
We are grateful for funding from the Ministry of Health of the Province of Ontario, which enabled this qualitative study.