Perceived barriers to primary care among western Canadians with chronic conditions.

BACKGROUND This analysis explores barriers to the receipt of health care from a primary care physician for management of chronic conditions. DATA AND METHODS A population-based survey was administered to adults in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia who had hypertension, diabetes, heart disease or stroke (n=1,849). Associations between socio-demographic factors and barriers to receipt of primary care were identified. RESULTS Most respondents with chronic conditions required care from a primary care physician in the past year and had no difficulty receiving it; about 10% reported a barrier. Barriers were most commonly reported by respondents with diabetes (16%) and were related to initiation of care or waiting too long to get care. INTERPRETATION A small percentage of adults with chronic conditions report barriers to receiving care from a primary care physician.