Supply of Physicians’ Services in Ontario

A critical component to providing patients with access to a comprehensive range of essential medical services is ensuring an adequate supply of physicians. This research atlas addresses the issue of physician supply and distribution in Ontario.

Key findings indicate that as the supply of active physicians rose steadily from 1991/92 to 1997/98, the geographic maldistribution of physicians also increased. More doctors were practicing in urban centres while underserviced areas continued to lose their services. Further, the comprehensiveness of services declined as more general practitioners and family physicians shifted their focus away from hospitals and nursing homes in favour of office practice.