New 2007 National Physician Survey results available

The College of Family Physicians of Canada continued its collaborative relationship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Canadian Medical Association to conduct the 2007 census survey of all physicians, second-year residents, and medical students in Canada.

This newly gathered information follows up on the 2004 National Physician Survey (NPS) and covers areas such as where physicians are working and for whom they are caring; physician perspectives on access to care for patients; changes physicians have made to their practices and their plans for change in the future; use of electronic aids in their practices; and collaborative relationships with other health care professionals. It also explores different continuing professional development methods, as well as how physicians rate their professional lives, net revenue, and satisfaction with various working relationships.

Resident and student information zeros in on training and how well prepared they feel for practice; future practice intentions, such as what types of services they intend to provide and with whom they intend to collaborate; use of electronic aids; and debt.

The highlights of the 2007 NPS will be released to the public and key stakeholders in a series of public announcements beginning January 9, 2008, with the national-level physician results. Release of physician results by province and territory and by specialty will follow, as will student and resident results. With each release, all results will be posted on the NPS website at www.nationalphysiciansurvey.ca. Fast Facts from the NPS results will also be a regular feature in Canadian Family Physician.

Care in the home: Fast Facts from the 2007 NPS

While 48% of FPs offer housecalls to their patients themselves (Figure 1), 59% of FPs indicated that housecalls were available to their patients via their practice arrangements.
Fifty-three percent of FPs said that they act as a liaison to home care for their patients; 62% of FPs, however, indicated that a liaison to home care was available for their patients through their practice arrangements.
Thirty-five percent of FPs rate access for their patients to in-home nursing services and to home care as fair or poor (Figure 2).

Figure 1

Proportion of family physicians offering housecalls to their patients by sex and age

Figure 2

Family physicians’ ratings of accessibility of in-home nursing and home care for their patients

If you would like the opportunity to develop and write a Fast Fact using the NPS results, please contact Sarah Scott, National Physician Survey and Janus Project Coordinator, at 800 387-6197, extension 289, or sks{at}cfpc.ca.