Health Care Crisis- FMCode Red

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Contributor: Dr. Keyna Bracken

Summary

“Many family physicians are burnt out, many are reducing their clinical hours, retiring early, or leaving the profession altogether. Fewer medical students are choosing to enter family medicine at a time when close to five million people in Canada do not have a regular family physician, and many people cannot access the care they need when they need it.” [1]

  • note 5 year decline of students interested in Family Medicine as first choice discipline
  • roughly 24% of CMGs who matched to FM in 2021, FM was not their first choice, similar in 2022
  • less FPs are choosing to work in comprehensive, longitudinal practice.2
  • newcomers, marginalized and low-income groups worse access to regular FP even prior to pandemic2
  • median patient contacts per FP declined over past 20 years regardless of career stage3

*https://www.carms.ca/events-awards/carms-forum/

What about the INPUT- How can FPs help when it seems so challenging/hopeless?

From the CFPC Preparing our Future Physicians3

Takeaway Tidbits

Engage medical students in community of practice showcasing ability of FM to influence both individual, family and community health outcomes. Engagement and mentorship make a difference5,6

Enroll medical students into your communities of practice and bring colleagues on board.6

How when so busy? It is in our nature to make a difference.  Consider this podcast on The Art of Possibility https://youtu.be/H5DV55-U2OU  

References

  1. https://www.cfpc.ca/en/our-advocacy/crisis-in-family-medicine
  2. Brief on Primary Care Part 2: Factors affecting primary care capacity in Ontario for pandemic response and recovery. Science Table Covid-19 Advisory for Ontario; 2022. Available: https://covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/brief-on-primary-care-part-2-factors-affecting-primary-care-capacity-in-ontario-for-pandemic-response-and-recovery/ (accessed 2023 Jan10).
  3. Rudoler D, Peterson S, Stock D, et al.  Changes over time in patient visits and continuity of care among graduating cohorts of family physicians in 4 Canadian provinces. CMAJ 2022;194:E1639–46.
  4. Abstract/FREE Full TextGoogle Scholar
  5. Fowler N, Oandasan I, Wyman R, eds. Preparing Our Future Family Physicians. An educational prescription for strengthening health care in changing times. Mississauga, ON: College of Family Physicians of Canada; 2022. https://www.cfpc.ca/CFPC/media/Resources/Education/AFM-OTP-Report.pdf
  6. Kost A, Bentley A, Phillips J, Kelly C, Prunuske J, Morley CP. Graduating Medical Student Perspectives on Factors Influencing Specialty Choice: An AAFP National Survey. Fam Med. 2019;51(2):129-136. https://doi.org/10.22454/FamMed.2019.136973.
  7. Ledford CJ, Guard EL, Phillips JP, Morley CP, Prunuske J, Wendling AL. How Medical Education Pathways Influence Primary Care Specialty Choice. Fam Med. 2022;54(7):512-521. https://doi.org/10.22454/FamMed.2022.668498.
  8. POWERCUT:  Benjamin Zander on mastering the art of enrolment. Available on UTube
  9. https://youtu.be/H5DV55-U2OU (accessed 2023 Jan10)