Description

• Proportion of the population who report they have a regular medical doctor

Specific Indicator

• Proportion who have a regular medical doctor

Corresponding Mandatory Objective

• None

Corresponding National Indicator

• None

Comparable Health Indicators

As a result of a Communiqué on Health issued by the First Ministers in September 2000, the health ministries from all provinces and territories, and the federal government have selected and reported on a set of comparable health indicators to the public. There are 14 areas for comparable health status and health system performance indicators reporting, organized under the three headings of health status, health outcomes and quality of service. This indicator is one of the comparable health indicators, also referred to as PIRC in Ontario (Performance Indicators Reporting Committee).

See Statistics Canada’s web site:

http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-401-XIE/free.htm

See Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care web site:

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ministry_reports/pirc/pirc_mn.html

Comparable Health Indicator: Percent of population having a regular family doctor

Area 11: Access to 24/7 first contact health services

Data Sources (see Resources: Data Sources)

Numerator & Denominator: Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)

Original source: Statistics Canada

Distributed by:

1.      Knowledge Management and Reporting Branch, Ontario MOHLTC

2.      Statistics Canada

Suggested citation (see Data Citation Notes):

1.      Canadian Community Health Survey [year], Statistics Canada, Share File, Knowledge Management and Reporting Branch, Ontario MOHLTC

2.      Canadian Community Health Survey [year], Statistics Canada, Public Use Microdata File, Statistics Canada

Numerator & Denominator: 1996/97Ontario Health Survey (OHS)

Original source: Statistics Canada

Distributed by:

1.      Knowledge Management and Reporting Branch, Ontario MOHLTC

2.      Statistics Canada

Suggested citation (see Data Citation Notes):

1.      Ontario Health Survey 1996/97, Statistics Canada, Share File, Knowledge Management and Reporting Branch, Ontario MOHLTC

2.      Ontario Health Survey 1996/97, Statistics Canada, Public Use Microdata File, Statistics Canada

Survey Questions

2003 Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 2.1):

Question HCU_Q01AA: “Do you have a regular medical doctor?”

2000/01 Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 1.1):

Question TW_Q5 (Variable TWDA_5): “Do you have a regular medical doctor?”

1996/97 Ontario Health Survey:

Question TWOWK_Q5 (Variable TWC6_5): “Do you have a regular medical doctor?”

Analysis Check List

• The number of “don’t know” (coded as 7), “refusal” (coded as 8) and “not stated” (coded as 9) respondents are likely small and can be excluded. Users should check numbers before excluding these non-respondents.

• Before releasing and/or publishing these data, users should ensure that the number of sampled respondents who contributed to the estimate is at least 30 (or 10 if bootstrapping is done), regardless of the estimate’s coefficient of variation. For estimates with the minimal sample size, determine the coefficient of variation of the rounded weighted estimate and follow the guidelines below: 

  • Acceptable (0.0 - 16.5) Estimates can be considered for general unrestricted release. Requires no special notation. 

  • Marginal (16.6 - 33.3) Estimates can be considered for general unrestricted release but should be accompanied by a warning cautioning of high sampling variability. 

  • Unacceptable (greater than 33.3) Statistics Canada recommends not releasing estimates of unacceptable quality. However, if the user chooses to do so then estimates should be flagged and the following warning should accompany the estimates: “The user is advised that . . .(specify the data) . . . do not meet Statistics Canada’s quality standards for this statistical program. Conclusions based on these data will be unreliable and most likely invalid”. These data and any consequent findings should not be published. If the user chooses to publish these data or findings, then this disclaimer must be published with the data.

Method of Calculation

Basic Categories

• Age groups: 12-19, 20-44, 45-64, 65+.

• Sex: male, female.

• Geographic areas for: CCHS – all 37 Public Health Units and16 District Health Councils in Ontario; 1996/97 OHS – 23 health areas.

Indicator Comments

• Lack of a regular doctor may indicate limited or poor access to preventive, primary care services. 

• Having a regular source of medical care is a strong determinant of use of recommended preventive care services.

• Canadians lacking a regular medical doctor are less likely to receive primary and specialist care.

• Access to a regular medical doctor may improve continuity of care. 

• Based on the CCHS 2000/01 Share File (excluding “don’t know” respondents), 91% of Ontarians aged 12 years and older have a regular doctor.

Cross-References to Other Sections

• None

References

1. Lambrew JM, DeFriese GH, Carey TS, Richetts TC, Biddle AK. The effects of having a regular doctor on access to primary care. Med Care 1996;34:138-51.

2. McIsaac WJ, Fuller-Thomson E, Talbot Y. Does having regular care by a family physician improve preventive care? Can Fam Physician. 2001 Jan;47:70-6.

3. Talbot Y, Fuller-Thomson E, Tudiver F, Habib Y, McIsaac WJ.  Canadians without regular medical doctors. Who are they? Can Fam Physician. 2001 Jan;47:58-64.

4. Menec VH, Roos NP, Black C, Bogdanovic B.   Characteristics of patients with a regular source of care. Can J Public Health. 2001 Jul-Aug;92(4):299-303.

Date of Last Revision: March 19, 2004