Primary care
Every day, thousands of Canadians receive primary health care (PHC) services, usually from a nurse practitioner, general practitioner or family physician. Nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists and social workers may also provide PHC.
This type of care typically involves routine care, care for urgent but minor or common health problems, mental health care, maternity and child care, psychosocial services, liaison with home care, health promotion and disease prevention, nutrition counselling and end-of-life care. It is also an important source of chronic disease prevention and management. Many of these services can be provided as virtual care through the use of email, telephone, messaging and other technologies. Explore information on primary care, including indicators, data tables, reports and other key resources.
Featured material
Connected care
Primary care clients at Ontario community health centres: Characteristics and service use
Factors impacting the number of physicians practising in Canada over 20 years
88% of Canadians have a regular health provider but others struggle to access care
Commonwealth Fund survey, 2023
Nurse Practitioners in Canada — Cindy Fehr and Stan Marchuk
Indicators
Reports and releases
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