Across the province, family physicians are finding practical ways to improve access to care, reduce barriers, and better support patients. They are solving problems in real time, grounded in the realities of day-to-day practice and the needs of the communities they serve. 

This year’s World Family Doctor Day theme— Family Doctors: Driving Innovation in Health Care — reflects a broader shift happening across family medicine in Ontario.

Family physicians are seeing gaps in care firsthand and stepping up to help solve them. Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe recognized the need for stronger support and education in women’s health and became a trusted advocate and public voice for patients. Dr. Andrew Pinto and Dr. Archna Gupta founded the Upstream Lab at St. Michael’s Hospital after seeing how deeply issues related to the social determinants of health shape patients’ lives and the need for evidence-based solutions to address them 

After witnessing disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease among his South Asian patients, Dr. Basel Bari worked to increase participation in clinical trials and has mentored Dr. Aleem Hussain to continue that community advocacy. Dr. Joyce Cheung saw colleagues struggling to find coverage while taking medical or parental leave and created LOCVM, a platform that connects physicians with locum support across Ontario.

These examples embody the vision and versatility that define family medicine. Family physicians are not waiting for change. They are already driving it on the front lines.

That same spirit of innovation is beginning to shape the broader healthcare system.

Government is increasingly recognizing the value of investing in digital supports, and family physicians are seeing the role these solutions can play in improving care and strengthening practice.

The rapid uptake of AI-powered scribes is helping reduce administrative burden and free up more time for patients, with 79 per cent of those using it reporting they were able to spend more time on direct patient care. We are also seeing growing uptake of eReferral across Ontario, with over 60 per cent of family physicians having now joined the provincial digital platform to help streamline access to specialists and diagnostic imaging.

Most recently, the province’s announcement of a Primary Care Electronic Medical Record marked another important step toward a more connected healthcare system. Family physicians are encouraged by its potential, but its success will depend on meaningful physician input to ensure it reflects real-world practice and does not add to administrative burden or cost. 

The same innovation transforming care in clinics can also help create a more connected and seamless experience for patients across the healthcare system. One example is referrals for specialist appointments and diagnostic tests, where better coordination and visibility could significantly improve the patient experience.

Patients are ready to embrace that change.

Ninety-five per cent agree that family doctors should have access to a centralized referral system to help patients get specialist appointments and diagnostic tests faster.

The Ontario government has committed to improving the referral process, and family physicians are eager to help shape and support that work. As the front door to our healthcare system, they see patients’ needs firsthand and understand where care can be better connected, coordinated, and supported. That frontline perspective is essential to designing practical, scalable solutions grounded in real-world experience.

What gives me optimism for the future of healthcare in Ontario is the leadership and innovation already emerging across family medicine.

Now is the time to support and scale that momentum so more patients and communities can benefit from the innovation already happening on the front lines of care.

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