One in Seven Emergency Visits in Canada Could Be Managed in Primary Care: Report
A significant portion of emergency department (ED) visits in Canada could be avoided with better access to primary care, according to a new report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The data highlights that about one in seven ED visits nationwide are for conditions that could have been managed by a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or pediatrician, and nearly half of these cases could have been addressed virtually.
Primary Care Shortfalls Driving ED Overuse
The report, which analyzed ED visits from April 2023 to March 2024, reveals that over five million Canadian adults lack a family doctor, while many who have one face long delays for appointments. CIHI’s new indicator measures how often Canadians resort to the ED for conditions that could be managed in primary care.
Sunita Karmakar-Hore, CIHI’s manager of health system performance reporting, noted that even patients with access to a family doctor often seek emergency care, particularly on weekends. “About 13% of visits for primary care-manageable conditions come from those with a doctor,” she said.
Children Most Affected
Young children, particularly those aged two to nine, are disproportionately affected. The report found that 26% of ED visits for this age group involve conditions like colds, ear infections, or prescription refills—issues typically handled in primary care. Parents, especially those unable to secure timely appointments, often turn to emergency departments out of necessity.
“This data shows that parents of young children are struggling to access care when they need it,” said Karmakar-Hore. The urgency of treating conditions in younger children often escalates concerns, leaving parents with limited options.
Rural Communities Face Greater Challenges
The report highlights stark disparities between urban and rural areas. In rural communities, 24% of ED visits involve conditions manageable in primary care, compared to just 11% in urban areas. With only 10% of Canada’s physicians serving 20% of its rural population, access challenges are magnified.
Dr. Fraser Mackay, an emergency physician and chair of the rural and remote section of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, emphasized that rural EDs often double as primary care providers. “The lack of family physicians in these areas amplifies health-care access issues,” he said.
Call for Action and System Improvements
Experts agree that the findings underline a pressing need for improved primary care access, especially in rural and remote areas. The report’s authors stress that these indicators aim to guide improvements rather than blame individuals for seeking emergency care.
For patients like Cassidy Allison-Rea of Fergus, Ontario, the struggle is personal. Expecting a baby and without a family doctor, Allison-Rea recently had to visit the ED for an ear infection after being unable to find care elsewhere. “You feel guilty using emergency resources, but there’s no other choice,” she said.
The CIHI report serves as a call to action for policymakers, urging reforms to reduce the reliance on emergency departments for primary care and expand access to virtual and in-person services.
Source : Swifteradio.com
