There is growing recognition that family physicians represent the best hope we have as a society for preserving the quality and accessibility of our publicly-funded health care system. Dr. Despins noted other countries are also moving towards health care systems which put family physicians at their centre.
Family doctors ensure continuity and comprehensiveness of care.
As the frontline coordinators of primary care, they can also help avoid duplication, unnecessary tests and use of hospital emergency departments, and doctor shopping. CFPC supports the OMA's suggestions for market-driven competition, rather than more bureaucratic control, in determining how and where family physicians work. The College's own Green Paper proposes that family physician group practices would be responsible for managing and delivering primary health care, and patients would be able to access these services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With some form of rostering, family physicians would have to compete for patients. Dr. Despins said this would encourage the formation of group practices in underserviced rural and remote area.