Average Distance to the Nearest Family Physician, 1998 (kilometres)

The patterns shown on the map clearly reflect both the general distribution of population and population density in Canada and the distribution of family physicians. The mean distances also reflect the geographical extent of the provinces and territories and the census divisions (CDs).

Figures 1a and 1b highlight the very significant differences in distances to the nearest family physician when general rural/urban groupings of the CDs are employed. Residents of predominantly urban and intermediate areas of Canada have on average less than 5 kilometres to travel to the nearest family physician. In predominantly rural areas the average distance exceeds 20 kilometres and in northern areas of the country the average exceeds 100 kilometres.

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Figure 1a. Average Distance to the Nearest Family Physician, 1998 (based on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) urban-rural classifications)

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Figure 1b. Average Distance to the Nearest Family Physician, 1998 (based on Metro Adjacency categories)

• Average Distance to the Nearest Physician Specialist, 1998 (kilometres) Map | Read about this map

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