According to CIHI’s new report on the state of Canada’s health workforce, 5.7 million Canadians don't have a primary care provider. In this episode host Avis Favaro talks with Emily Stevenson, director of Practice and Policy with the Ontario Physiotherapy Association and family physician, Dr. Alexander Glover about one way of easing pressures on family doctors from an aging and injured population. It's a trend growing in Canada and other parts of the world known as first contact physiotherapy. In other words - allowing physiotherapists to be the first person patients see with back and joint pain, arthritis, and sports injuries - instead of having them wait to see a doctor. Studies show that first contact physiotherapy helps patients faster, and at a lower cost to the system, while freeing up primary care providers for other patients in need.

This episode is available in English.

Episode transcripts can be found on our podcast web page.

Learn more about the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

Say hello on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, or subscribe to our YouTube channel. You can also stay up to date on the latest news and upcoming releases with our monthly newsletter.

Vous préférez les balados français? Voyez le Balado d’information sur la santé au Canada.