Media Action
OCFP in the Media
The OCFP is proactively raising the issues family doctors are facing in the media. From the Globe and Mail and across Ontario, we are sounding the alarm that family doctors need support.
Media Impact
Here’s a look back at our recent media work and the impact we are having:
Why Does Media Matter?
The OCFP is leveraging data on the growing number of Ontarians without a family doctor to bring our issues and solutions to the forefront. The shortage is making headlines and that means family medicine issues are top of mind for the public.
Public pressure is key to pushing governments to change.
The OCFP advocates for solutions in every media interview. We’re calling for policy changes to:
- Cut overwhelming and unnecessary administrative tasks.
- Give all family doctors, regardless of their payment model, access to teams.
- Make the job better and bring the joy back to family medicine.
Changing the Narrative
In 2022, family doctors were being blamed in the media for not doing enough to keep patients with respiratory illness out of the hospital. The government asked family doctors to do more.
The OCFP pushed back in social and news media. We released new data showing that Ontario’s healthcare system is in crisis – and that includes family medicine. We showed how family doctors were responding and issued a statement. We connected family doctors with media and made clear there was nothing more to give.
It matters. The public narrative is changing.
These days, we are more likely to hear from patients in the media talking about how badly they need a family doctor.
The OCFP has been a leading voice in drawing attention to and helping the public understand the challenges that family doctors face including, compensation that hasn’t kept face with inflation, lack of team support and the overwhelming administrative burden. This has helped to shift the focus onto the Ontario government to prioritize solutions to the family medicine crisis.
Family Doctors in the Media
OCFP is empowering family doctors to speak out to the media and have your voice heard. Your local media matters to your community and your MPP.
See your peers in action (the following links open external websites):
- Dr. Jobin Varughese: Number of Ontarians without family doctor reaches 2.5 million, college says
- Dr. Nicole Demarais: Family doctor from Hanmer joining Ontario College of Family Physicians
Want to get involved? We are looking for family doctors from across Ontario to speak out.