Use the term ‘family physicians,’ not ‘primary care provider,’ BCCFP urges

The British Columbia College of Family Physicians is imploring politicians, government bodies, health groups and other organizations to use terms such as “family doctor” or “family physician” rather than “primary care clinician” or “family practitioner.”“Terms such as 'primary care clinician' and 'family practitioner' do not reflect the depth of training, scope of practice, or professional identity you have as family physicians, and catch-all terms like 'primary care provider' convey inaccurate equivalency with other primary care professionals,” the organization said in a position statement Tuesday.“We are urging all health care organisations, government bodies, and communications platforms to use 'family physician' or 'family doctor' to ensure patient clarity, professional recognition, system effectiveness, and your appropriate leadership in team-based care.”Across Canada, there’s been a growing use of the term “primary care” among governments and advocacy groups amid the move towards team-based care and expanding scope of practice for nurse practitioners and pharmacists. But the BCCFP argues these professions should not be considered as adequate substitutes to a family doctor, given that a family doctor will have around nine-to-11 years of postsecondary education and clinical training, including two-to-three years of residency.“This extensive training equips them to manage complex patients, work across multiple care settings, and provide continuity that is strongly associated with reduced specialist referrals, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations,” the college said in a letter template directed at legislators and organizations.“Other primary care professionals, including nurse practitioners, are essential and valued members of the team. Their contributions strengthen access for patients and enhance team-based care. However, their training, scope, and role differ from that of family physicians and using catch all terms such as ‘primary care provider’ conveys inaccurate equivalency,” the letter continued.The BCCFP isn’t the only organization pushing back against what they see as an “inaccurate equivalency” with family doctors and other primary care professionals. Last year, the College of Family Physicians of Canada put out a poll finding that Canadians are more comfortable seeing a doctor for their health concerns, saying, “There is no replacement for a family physician.” Similarly, the Ontario Medical Association has been fighting the Ontario government’s moves to expand scope of practice for pharmacists and NPs.

Use the term ‘family physicians,’ not ‘primary care provider,’ BCCFP urges

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