How long does it take to see a doctor at a Sask. walk-in clinic? Data shows wait times on the rise
With more family doctors shutting their doors, patients are turning to walk-in clinics, according to a medical technology company.
Medimap is a platform that works with clinics to publish their wait times online. The company has found wait times are on the rise.
In 2022, Medimap found patients in Saskatchewan waited an average of 51 minutes to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic — 20 minutes longer than in 2021.
Teddy Wickland, the vice president of operations for Medimap, said a lack of doctors and more patients are the two main factors driving longer wait times.
“We're hearing, frankly, horror stories, just in terms of how busy [doctors] are and how hard it is for them to do their jobs effectively, given the current environment,” Wickland told CTV News.
“The life of a walk-in clinic provider is difficult. You're operating in five-minute increments all day … A lot of providers are disheartened by that because they got into medicine to build relationships with patients, to keep patients healthy, and they're not able to do that in the current environment because there's so much of a strain on the very few providers that actually exist.”
(Medimap)
The data found Regina had the fastest turnaround time to see a physician at 39 minutes, while Moose Jaw was the slowest at 78 minutes.
“There are many factors that affect the waiting times at walk-in clinics, including the number of physicians available, patient load, complexity of cases and emergencies taking priority,” the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan wrote in a statement to CTV News.
The college said it is not involved in physician recruitment or training, but recognized “there is an undersupply of physicians in all areas of Canada.”
Meanwhile, the province said the number of general practitioners is increasing in Saskatchewan.
There were 965 active general practitioners in 2021-2022, according to the Ministry of Health. In 2020-2021, there were 900.
A spokesperson for the ministry said the province is prioritizing strategies to enhance physician recruitment and retention, including dedicating $3.5 million to the efforts in the latest budget.
Nationally, Saskatchewan’s wait time is average. Medimap found patients in Nova Scotia had to wait the longest at 83 minutes and Ontario had to wait the least at 25 minutes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.