Research found that more than 1 in 5 adults in Canada lack access to primary care, with significant regional disparities. This equates to over 6.5 million adults without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The study, part of the OurCare initiative, gathered data from over 9200 individuals across Canada, revealing challenges in accessing timely care, especially for urgent concerns outside of standard hours. Many turn to walk-in clinics despite the lack of continuity of care. The research suggests that allowing care from other health team members could help address the primary care crisis. Substantial provincial variations were observed, highlighting the need for improved access to primary care services in Canada.
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