A comparative analysis of centralized waiting lists for patients without a primary care provider implemented in six Canadian provinces: study protocol
Date
2017
Authors
Breton, Mylaine
Green, Michael
Kreindler, Sara
Sutherland, Jason
Jbilou, Jalila
Wong, Sabrina T.
Shaw, Jay
Crooks, Valorie A.
Contandriopoulos, Damien
Smithman, Mélanie Ann
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Health Services Research
Abstract
Background: Having a regular primary care provider (i.e., family physician or nurse practitioner) is widely
considered to be a prerequisite for obtaining healthcare that is timely, accessible, continuous, comprehensive, and
well-coordinated with other parts of the healthcare system. Yet, 4.6 million Canadians, approximately 15% of Canada’s
population, are unattached; that is, they do not have a regular primary care provider. To address the critical need for
attachment, especially for more vulnerable patients, six Canadian provinces have implemented centralized waiting lists
for unattached patients. These waiting lists centralize unattached patients’ requests for a primary care provider in a
given territory and match patients with providers. From the little information we have on each province’s centralized
waiting list, we know the way they work varies significantly from province to province. The main objective of this study
is to compare the different models of centralized waiting lists for unattached patients implemented in six provinces of
Canada to each other and to available scientific knowledge to make recommendations on ways to improve
their design in an effort to increase attachment of patients to a primary care provider.
Methods: A logic analysis approach developed in three steps will be used. Step 1: build logic models that describe
each province’s centralized waiting list through interviews with key stakeholders in each province; step 2: develop a
conceptual framework, separate from the provincially informed logic models, that identifies key characteristics of
centralized waiting lists for unattached patients and factors influencing their implementation through a
literature review and interviews with experts; step 3: compare the logic models to the conceptual framework to make
recommendations to improve centralized waiting lists in different provinces during a pan Canadian face-toface
exchange with decision-makers, clinicians and researchers.
Discussion: This study is based on an inter-provincial learning exchange approach where we propose to
compare centralized waiting lists and analyze variations in strategies used to increase attachment to a
regular primary care provider. Fostering inter-provincial healthcare systems connectivity to improve centralized waiting
lists’ practices across Canada can lever attachment to a regular provider for timely access to continuous,
comprehensive and coordinated healthcare for all Canadians and particular for those who are vulnerable.
Description
Keywords
Primary health care, Health services accessibility, Comparative study, Waiting lists, Physicians, General practitioners, Physician patient relationship, Unattached patients
Citation
Breton, M., Green, M., Kreindler, S., Sutherland, J., Jbilou, J., Wong, S. T., … Brousselle, A. (2017). A comparative analysis of centralized waiting lists for patients without a primary care provider implemented in six Canadian provinces: study protocol. BMC Health Services Research, 17, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2007-8.