Systemic reform requires accountability

Blended remuneration models represent a promising shift in primary care policy, allowing physicians to dedicate more time to complex patient care and receive fair compensation for essential nonclinical duties like documentation and care coordination. As described in the article, “Will blended family physician payment models revive primary care in Canada?” by McCracken et al in the June 2025 special research issue of Canadian Family Physician,¹ these models aim to reduce administrative burden and improve care quality and access. However, their success depends on more than payment structures alone.

Governments must implement modern, accessible, and interoperable technological infrastructures that truly support clinical work, improve communication, and reduce inefficiencies. Equally vital is expanding access to a broader range of health care workers, including mental health and rehabilitation professionals, to enable effective team-based care.

Ultimately, systemic reform cannot succeed without clear accountability. Government officials and health system decision makers must be held responsible for both the successes and the persistent shortcomings of health care delivery. This includes addressing population health needs through proactive public health initiatives and ensuring primary care teams are equipped and adequately supported to assume broader responsibility for the health of their communities. Without transparency, ongoing evaluation, and genuine collaboration, even the most well-intentioned reforms risk falling short of their transformative potential.

• Copyright © 2025 the College of Family Physicians of Canada