The following Q&A article is the first of a series that is being shared on behalf of the Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee (JMPRRC). The Committee is an advisory committee of the councils of participating towns or municipalities for matters related to the development, implementation and progress monitoring of a sustainable solution for the recruitment and retention of Primary Care Physicians for the Committee membership catchment population.
Recruitment and Retention
The recruitment and retention of family physicians is a significant health care challenge facing Ontario’s rural and small communities. Ensuring access to Family Physicians close to home is vital for positive and equitable health outcomes. While healthcare is a provincial responsibility, municipal governments are increasingly responding to health-related needs in the community to improve local population health outcomes. Therefore, like other rural towns across Ontario the Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee was formed to identify sustainable solutions for the recruitment and retention of Primary Care Physicians. Regional in nature, the Committee has representation from five partnering municipalities including Town of The Blue Mountains, Town of Collingwood, Township of Clearview, Municipality of Meaford and the Municipality of Grey Highlands.1
One of the Committee’s mandates is to educate the community and stakeholders about the role of the Committee and the importance of Family Physician recruitment. This question-and-answer article is the first of a series of articles that will aim to create awareness and an understanding of these efforts.
Why are Family Physicians Important?
Family Physicians are the heart of the health care system and the foundation of patient care. They are your first point of contact with the health care system, with family doctors being experts in diagnosing and treating the whole person. Family Physicians care for patients in their office, at local hospitals, other health care facilities and sometimes even provide care for patients in their own home.
Family Physicians study family medicine, a certified medical specialty, and are trained to deal with any health problem. Family doctors also play an increasingly important role in the early identification of disease.
Having your own Family Physicians is good for your health!
Research shows that continuity in patient care – developing a relationship with your Family Physician – provides better health outcomes for patients. Family doctors advocate for you and work with specialists and other health care professionals to provide patient-centred care. They also work with you to prevent illness and promote healthy living.
A Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) report2 released in September 2019 found the number of doctors was growing at double the rate of the Canadian population. Between 2015 and 2019, the number of physicians in Canada increased at a faster pace than the population, although this growth slowed in 2019.
In 2019, there were 241 physicians per 100,000 population: 122 family medicine physicians and 119 specialists per 100,000. The proportion of family and specialist physicians has remained relatively equal since the late 1970s, with family physicians representing between 50 per cent and 53 per cent of the physician workforce. But millions of patients, particularly in rural areas, are not reaping the benefits and getting access to the care they need – so what is being done?
What's Being Done?
Five municipalities have come together as members of the Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee to identify what needs to be done, plan accordingly and act quickly.
Who are members of the Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee?
- Chair, June Porter, RN MScN MBA, retired health care executive, Town of The Blue Mountains
- Municipality of Grey Highlands - Councillor Tom Allwood
- Municipality of Meaford - Barb Clumpus
- Town of Collingwood - Councillor Yvonne Hamlin
- Town of The Blue Mountains - Councillor Andrea Matrosovs
- Town of The Blue Mountains - Councillor Rob Sampson (alternate)
- Township of Clearview - Mayor Doug Measures
When and how often does the Committee meet?
The Committee meets the third (3rd) Thursday of each month from 10am-12pm. Meetings are currently being held virtual in accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols. Meetings are recorded and archived on the Town website.
What is the purpose of the Committee?
To recruit and retain Family Physicians for our municipalities, which together have a total population of 63,440 (census, 2016). The region has also seen a rapid population increase over the past few years, from both anticipated and unanticipated growth, which requires a further understanding of the current level of access to primary health care services.
The data which we have initially reviewed underestimates the need for Family Physicians in our areas. Therefore, the Committee launched a survey at the beginning of April to learn more about whether residents throughout all five municipalities have access to a family physician locally or if they do not have access to a family physician at all. The survey closed on April 30, 2021 with over 1,100 responses. The survey results are currently being reviewed by the Committee.
What Needs to Happen to Recruit More Doctors?
Over the coming weeks and months, our Committee will be providing updates on what needs to happen and will be working to enhance our residents’ understanding of the delivery of primary health care in our area and Ontario through a series of Q&As.
If you have any questions, please direct them to the Executive Assistant (click link to open email box) as this will assist us in focusing our efforts. Please do not include any personal information or specific health-related information.
1 A Companion to AMO’s “Partner’s for a Healthy Ontario: A Check Up on the Municipal Role in Health” Discussion Paper, January 18, 2019
2https://www.cihi.ca/sites/default/files/document/physicians-in-canada-report-en.pdf