News
News
Below, please find important news related to family medicine, OCFP advocacy and government policy changes impacting family doctors and your patients. Members of the media can contact the OCFP Communications Team at media@ocfp.on.ca.
Brampton Family Physician Quarterbacks Care After Catastrophic Car Accident
Andree Decoste, of Brampton, credits her family doctor, Dr. Christopher Veenema, with coordinating care for her son, David, following a catastrophic car accident in 2019, while also supporting her through challenges of her own. Thankful for his dedication and care, Andree successfully nominated Dr. Veenema to be recognized by the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) as part of a campaign to highlight the essential role of family doctors.
OCFP welcomes aspiring family physicians: CaRMS 2025
Dear aspiring Family Physicians, I want to congratulate and welcome all who have just been matched to Family Medicine. The dedication that medical students and residents bring to our profession is exceptional, and we look forward to having you join this important and rewarding profession.
The Urgent Need for a Centralized Referral System in Ontario
Enabling Family Physicians with the Right Technology Will Help Patients Receive Faster Care Dr. Nicole Desmarais has seen the tragic consequences that can result from the lack of an effective referral system, as she tries tirelessly every day to connect her patients to the specialized care they need. The sole family physician in Hanmer, a small town in Greater Sudbury, Dr. Desmarais has had patients with life-threatening illnesses waiting for months – their condition worsening – while she searches, unsuccessfully, for the specialized care her patient needs.
Using Artificial Intelligence to Combat Administrative Burden
Family physicians share how using AI scribes allows them to give time back to patients. Dr. Vineet Nair, family physician and Co-chair of the Middlesex London Primary Care Network, says the benefits of using an AI scribe were immediate – and now he’ll never go back to practising without one.
Family Doctors in Dufferin–Caledon Recognized for Outstanding Care and Dedication
Life with a family doctor means access to comprehensive care for Ontarians and their loved ones Nine local family doctors are being recognized by patients and the Ontario College of Family Physicians for the outstanding care they provide and dedication to the community. “What we heard from patients in all corners of the province, including in Dufferin–Caledon, is that family physicians are there for patients, providing care when they need it most,” said Dr.
Local Family Doctors Recognized by Patients for Outstanding Care and Dedication
Life with a family doctor means access to comprehensive care for Ontarians and their loved ones More than 750 family doctors from across Ontario are being recognized by their patients and the Ontario College of Family Physicians for the outstanding care they provide.
Brampton Family Physician Announced as President of Ontario College of Family Physicians
Dr. Jobin Varughese to prioritize solutions to support family physicians caring for Ontarians Dr. Jobin Varughese has been announced as President of the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP), representing more than 18,000 family physicians and medical students, including residents and retired family physicians. As president, Dr. Varughese’s priorities include working toward solutions to make practise better for family physicians and ensuring they are at the forefront in leading much-needed change in our healthcare system.
New Data Shows There Are Now 2.5 Million Ontarians Without a Family Doctor
The Ontario College of Family Physicians is calling for urgent supports to ensure family doctors can provide Ontarians with the care they need The list of Ontarians without a family doctor continues to grow.
Using AI to support family doctors and their patients
Whether to decrease the average of 19 hours per week that family physicians spend on administrative tasks, including documenting patient visits and writing referrals, or using technology to enhance the patient experience, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an important part of family medicine.