More than half of Quebec patients avoid consulting a doctor because of lack of access

A doctor examines a patient. In Quebec, more than half of those surveyed said they had issues consulting a doctor. (Thomas Kienzle / The Canadian Press) (Thomas Kienzle/The Canadian Press)

Access to health care in the public network is deteriorating, according to a new survey by SOM, commissioned by the Quebec College of Physicians (CMQ).

The results, released on Monday, show that over the past 12 months, more than half the population (54 per cent) who wanted to consult a doctor for a health problem were unable to do so because of a lack of access to care.

More specifically, of those who wanted to see a doctor but did not, a third were unable to get a medical appointment, and 21 per cent felt that it would take too long to get one.

The data also show that 26 per cent of patients decided to consult a doctor privately, while in 2022, 14 per cent of those surveyed had paid a fee for their most recent medical consultation.

“We are increasingly concerned about problems of access to healthcare,” said CMQ president Dr. Mauril Gaudreault.

“In 2022, our survey revealed that the population felt that they did not have access to the healthcare network within a reasonable time. This year, the situation is hardly any better: in fact, it seems to have deteriorated. More than ever, the government must implement concrete measures to better meet the health needs of the population.”

The SOM survey was conducted online from Feb. 28 to March 10, 2025. In all, 1,256 CMQ members and 1,031 members of the public took part.

On Monday at noon, Health Minister Christian Dubé is scheduled to speak at a webinar organized by the CMQ on the role of the private sector in the health-care system.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 17, 2025.

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