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Saskatchewan Doctor Hunt: A Desperate Search
6 Feb
Summary
- 63% of Saskatchewan residents lack a family doctor or face access difficulties.
- Saskatchewan's doctor access issues are the worst in Canada.
- The province aims to ensure everyone has a primary care provider by 2028.
Finding a family doctor in Saskatchewan has become an arduous task, with a recent survey indicating that 63% of residents either have no family doctor or face significant difficulties accessing their current one. This situation is described by some as akin to the 'Hunger Games,' highlighting the challenging and isolating nature of the search for primary care.
The Angus Reid Institute survey revealed that Saskatchewan has the highest rate of difficulty accessing doctors nationally and ranks second only to Quebec in the percentage of those without a family doctor. The problem has worsened since 2015, with the total percentage of people struggling to find or access care rising significantly.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the provincial government has stated its commitment to ensuring all residents have a primary care provider by the end of 2028. Efforts include increasing physician placements, expanding educational opportunities, and enhancing the role of nurse practitioners in delivering primary care.
