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The Primary Care Access Survey

About the Survey

The Primary Care Access Survey (PCAS) is a survey given by telephone to Ontarians age 16 years and older. The survey is voluntary. All of the information collected is kept strictly confidential.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care uses the information from the survey to understand how many Ontarians have family doctors and how they obtain care. It also helps the ministry plan health care programs and policies.

How are answers to the survey questions collected?

Answers to the survey questions are collected over the telephone. The questions are asked by an interviewer. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has selected a company, R. A. Malatest & Associates Ltd., to ask the survey questions and provide the answers to the ministry. The survey is offered in English and French.

How long does it take to complete the survey?

The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete.

What kinds of questions does the survey ask?

The PCAS asks Ontarians:

• Their views about the Ontario health care system
• How healthy they are
• If they have chronic conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
• If they have a family doctor
• What type of practice their family doctor has (such as a Family Health Team)
• If they do not have a family doctor, reasons why they do not have one and ways they have tried to find one
• If they have seen a doctor for regular check-ups, monitoring, care when they are sick, or advice or information
• If they have been to an emergency room or a walk-in clinic
• Whether any children living in the household have a doctor
• Information about their age, income level, education, employment, ethnicity, immigration status, postal code, and how many people live in their household
• If they have Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage
• If they are willing to provide the ministry with their health card number for research purposes only

What if I don’t want to answer some of the questions asked?

You do not have to answer any questions you do not want to. If you decide to stop the interview, you can ask to have the rest of your answers erased.

Does everyone in Ontario get asked to complete the survey?

Some but not all Ontarians are asked to complete the survey. These Ontarians are randomly chosen from across all areas of the province.

Are children asked to complete the survey?

Only adults age 16 years and older are asked to complete the survey. These adults are asked if they are parents or guardians of children living in their household. If there are, they are asked about just one of their children. They are asked whether this child has a doctor.

How does the ministry protect my privacy?

Your privacy is very important. The ministry and the company that collects the survey information, R. A. Malatest & Associates Ltd., will only use your personal health information for purposes related to the survey, and will not disclose your personal health information to anyone. For more information on the ministry’s information practices, please go to:
http://www.ontario.ca/en/general/004228