A recent study indicates that Ontarians without a family doctor face a heightened risk of death, a danger that escalates for individuals with multiple chronic conditions the longer they remain without primary care.
For those with multiple chronic conditions, going without a family doctor for two years or more was associated with a 12-fold increase in the odds of death and a nearly 16-fold higher chance of premature death. Dr. Jonathan Fitzsimon, lead author of the study, stated that individuals with multiple chronic conditions who lack a doctor face double the risk of dying in the next year compared to similar patients with a physician.
The research analyzed health records of over 12 million Ontarians. While 90 percent had a family doctor, 1.2 million did not. Among those unattached, one-third had been without a doctor for five years or more.
This lack of primary care places a greater burden on the healthcare system. Fitzsimon noted that prolonged periods without primary care are significantly linked to increased healthcare costs, with individuals with high comorbidities and no doctor for an extended time incurring a median annual cost of approximately $8,100.
Dr. Tara Kiran, a family physician not involved in the study, emphasized that walk-in clinics and emergency departments are not equipped for ongoing chronic condition management, unlike a family doctor who provides holistic care. While prioritizing those with chronic conditions is ideal, ensuring everyone has access to a family doctor remains the ultimate goal to include complex patients.