Evidence and What’s Working for Family Medicine

Dear SGFP Members,

As we see more signs of spring, it feels like the right moment to pause and highlight what’s working for family medicine. Over the past few months, many of you have told us that you want to hear more than what’s broken; you want to hear what’s improving, where progress is taking hold, and where we see signs of real momentum. I hear you. And I want to be clear: our fight for you won’t end until we see joy in work restored, enough family physicians for every Ontarian to be attached to accessible care, and a system where you can practice with the support, stability, and well-being you deserve.

I also want to acknowledge the early PSA implementation challenges many of you have faced. These issues are being identified and addressed, and I’m grateful to the OMA for their ongoing advocacy throughout this process.

Your Impact, Measured

We know from the evidence that continuity with a family physician improves health outcomes for patients in every setting. In February, our colleague Dr. Jonathan Fitzsimon strengthened that evidence even further, showing that this continuity reduces morbidity for some of our most complex patients. In the midst of system strain, it’s easy to lose sight of that truth, but the evidence keeps reminding us that what we do works, it matters, and it changes lives.

Lessons from Systems that Work

I am also hopeful because we know there are primary care systems out there functioning well. I want to acknowledge our colleague Dr. Tara Kiran, whose podcast series has taken her around the world, and across our own backyard, to study what excellence in primary care looks like in real-life settings. Her reflections remind us that high-performing systems are not theoretical; they exist, they are measurable, and they offer lessons we can apply here in Ontario.

A Meaningful Win on Dental Clearance Requests

We also saw important progress last month in our work with RCDSO (Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario) on dental “clearance” requests. In new guidance released late March, the RCDSO affirms that dentists should not seek general medical clearance from physicians. Rather, they are expected to understand the dental implications of their patients’ medical conditions, request only the specific clinical information required, and consult physicians for targeted risk assessments or medication adjustments when appropriate. This clarification, advanced through collaboration with SGFP members and led by Dr. Cathy Mastrogiacomo, represents a meaningful reduction in unnecessary administrative burden.

A Note on Colleagues Leading Beyond the Clinic

This week also brought news that our colleague Dr. Danielle Martin was elected in the Toronto University-Rosedale by-election. Regardless of political affiliation, it is always notable when a family physician steps into public service. Her election is a reminder of the many ways family doctors contribute to the health of our communities, both inside and outside clinical practice.

Our work at SGFP is drawing from the best international evidence and from what we hear directly from you, your innovations, your frustrations, your successes, and your realities. All of this is shaping our path forward.

Lastly, as I try something new by spotlighting colleagues who are helping illuminate the way forward, I know I risk missing so many of you who are providing critical, and often quiet, leadership that supports peers, strengthens communities, and saves lives. Your work matters deeply, and it continues to guide us.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Dave Barber, Chair, SGFP