Examining the geographic distribution of French-speaking physicians in Ontario.

objectiveTo determine how many physicians in Ontario express a proficiency in providing services in the French language, and to assess the geographic distribution of such physicians.

designPopulation-based analysis of the 2007 College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario Annual Membership Renewal Survey.

settingOntario.

participantsA total of 22 688 GPs, FPs, and other specialists certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada who responded to the survey.

main outcome measuresFirst official language spoken and languages of competency to conduct practice.

resultsThe physician-to-patient ratio by first official language spoken is 1 physician per 138 Francophone patients in Ontario. There is 1 French-speaking GP or FP for every 297 Francophone patients, and most French-speaking physicians are located in southern Ontario (91.4%), at a ratio of 1 physician per 111 Francophone patients. The most promising French-speaking physician-to-Francophone patient ratios are found in southern Ontario (1:248 for GPs and FPs, and 1:202 for other specialists) and in urban Ontario (1:266 for GPs and FPs, and 1:209 for other specialists).

conclusionClearly, there is a promising number of physicians, relative to the amount of French-speaking residents in Ontario, who identified a competency in offering services in French. However, while the number of physicians who indicated a self-assessed competency to deliver health services in French is promising, it is the maldistribution of such services that is of concern. Thus, efforts must be made to attract French-speaking physicians to areas where there is the greatest demand, particularly in the northern part of the province.