An article in The Walrus recently shed light on why so many Canadians struggle to find a family doctor.
Burnout, overwhelming workloads and outdated compensation systems are making it harder for family doctors in Canada to give the care patients need — and driving new doctors away from the profession.
In British Columbia, the majority of family doctors were once compensated by the fee-for-service payment model, which pays doctors based on the number of patients they see. As a result, it often undervalued the time and effort needed to manage patients with chronic conditions, mental health needs and other complex issues. For many, fee-for-service billing made family medicine unsustainable.
The Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model, introduced in B.C. almost two years ago, is a step in the right direction. By compensating doctors for time spent providing comprehensive, patient-centred care, the LFP model allows doctors to focus on building relationships with patients. This model not only makes family medicine more viable for some family physicians but also helps attract new doctors to the field.
Family medicine needs real solutions. The LFP Payment Model is one way B.C. is addressing the crisis. In the few months since it was launched, it’s already showing promise – with 835 new family doctors practicing longitudinal care since the model was introduced.
As we face these challenges together, we need to continue to advocate for changes that support family doctors—and ensure everyone has access to the care they deserve.