One in four Saskatchewan residents do not have a family doctor: survey

Saskatchewan faces a growing doctor shortage, prompting officials to seek solutions. Wayne Mantyka reports.

A recent survey suggests Saskatchewan residents continue to face challenges in getting a family doctor.

The survey, from the Angus Reid Institute, determined that one in four people in Saskatchewan do not have a family doctor. The national average in the survey was one in every five Canadians do not have a family doctor.

According to recent Health Canada estimates, Canada is short almost 23,000 family physicians.

Respondents were asked “Do you have a family doctor.” The highest percentage of negative responses came from the Atlantic region with 34 per cent indicating they didn’t have a family doctor. Saskatchewan and Quebec were next at 26 per cent each. The lowest number of negative responses came from Ontario and Manitoba at 13 per cent each.

An additional issue identified by the survey was the difficulty in accessing health care. When asked if a health issue arises, how easy or difficult is it to get an appointment with a family doctor, 50 per cent of respondents from Saskatchewan indicated it would be difficult (usually taking a week or more to get an appointment).

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In comparison, 24 per cent of respondents said it was easy to get an appointment within one or two days. Sixteen per cent of Saskatchewan respondents said it was easy to get an appointment with a family doctor.

The poll also highlighted the difficulty in accessing the different areas of the healthcare system without a family doctor. The survey data indicated it was difficult or very difficult to access non-emergency treatment (74 per cent), diagnostic tests (60 per cent), and specialist appointments (78 per cent). The comparable numbers for those with a family doctor were access to non-emergency treatment (30 per cent), diagnostic tests (35 per cent), and specialist appointments (55 per cent).

The Angus Reid Society conducted the survey online from Jan. 10-17, 2025, among a randomized sample of 2,044 Canadian adults. The survey carries a margin of error of +/- 1.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

The survey can be accessed online.