Text version of infographic
Results from the 2022 Commonwealth Fund (CMWF) International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians
Family doctors are working more hours and seeing fewer patients compared with the pre-pandemic period.
In 2019, Canadian primary care physicians worked 45 hours per week; the Commonwealth Fund average was 45 hours. In 2022, Canadian primary care physicians worked 50 hours per week; the Commonwealth Fund average was 44 hours.
In 2019, Canadian primary care physicians saw 100 patients per week; the Commonwealth Fund average was 99 patients. In 2022, Canadian primary care physicians saw 90 patients per week; the Commonwealth Fund average was 97 patients.
About half of family doctors offer options for after-hours care.
The proportions of primary care physicians whose practice has an arrangement for patients to be seen when the practice is closed are as follows: Germany, 91%; New Zealand, 90%; Netherlands, 89%; United Kingdom, 76%; Commonwealth Fund average, 67%; France, 66%; Australia, 58%; Sweden, 57%; Canada, 49%; Switzerland, 48%; and United States, 46%. Canada’s result is below the Commonwealth Fund average. A higher percentage is more desirable.
The proportion of Canadian primary care physicians who offer weekday evening appointments at least once a week is 56%; the Commonwealth Fund average is 45%. Canada’s result is above the Commonwealth fund average. A higher percentage is more desirable.
The proportion of Canadian primary care physicians who offer weekend appointments at least once a month is 53%; the Commonwealth Fund average is 37%. Canada’s result is above the Commonwealth Fund average. A higher percentage is more desirable.
Results from Statistics Canada’s 2019–2020 Canadian Community Health Survey show that 14% of Canadians do not have a regular care provider.
In the 2020 Commonwealth Fund survey of the general population, fewer Canadians (39%) reported that it was very easy or somewhat easy to get medical care in the evenings, or on weekends or holidays, compared with the Commonwealth Fund average of 48%. Canada’s result is below the Commonwealth Fund average. A higher percentage is more desirable. The source for this information is CIHI’s 2021 report How Canada Compares: Results From the Commonwealth Fund’s 2020 International Health Policy Survey of the General Population in 11 Countries.
Electronic communication with patients has increased since 2019.
In 2019, the proportion of Canadian primary care physicians whose practice offered patients the option to schedule appointments online was 22%; in 2022, it was 38%. In 2019, the Commonwealth Fund average was 56%; in 2022, it was 57%. Canada’s 2022 result is below the Commonwealth fund average. A higher percentage is more desirable.
In 2019, the proportion of Canadian primary care physicians whose practice offered patients the option to view visit summaries online was 5%; in 2022, it was 12%. In 2019, the Commonwealth Fund average was 26%; in 2022, it was 42%. Canada’s 2022 result is below the Commonwealth Fund average. A higher percentage is more desirable.
In 2019, the proportion of Canadian primary care physicians whose practice offered patients the option to request prescription renewals online was 10%; in 2022, it was 24%. In 2019, the Commonwealth Fund average was 52%; in 2022, it was 58%. Canada’s 2022 result is below the Commonwealth Fund average. A higher percentage is more desirable.
Twice as many family doctors offered patients the option to communicate with them via email or a secure website about a medical question or concern in 2022 (50%) compared with 2019 (23%). The Commonwealth Fund average increased from 65% in 2019 to 75% in 2022. Canada’s 2022 result is below the Commonwealth Fund average. A higher percentage is more desirable.
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