Health Services Access Survey: Identifying gaps in the health care needs of Canadians

At their September 2000 meeting, the First Ministers agreed that provincial and territorial governments would report to their constituents on key health indicator areas starting in September 2002. As of June 2001, data were not available for two of fourteen indicators: (a) waiting times for key diagnostic and treatment services and (b) access to "24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week (24/7)" first contact health services. Statistics Canada proposed the collection of these baseline data through a special household survey, the Health Services Access Survey, a supplement to the Canadian Community Health Survey 2000-01.

The Health Services Access Survey provides a first look at Canadians' experiences and perceptions regarding access to health services. It provides data on waiting times for specialist visits for a new illness or condition, non-emergency surgery, and selected diagnostic tests. It also provides information on access to health information and advice, routine care, and immediate care at various times of the day (i.e. regular office hours, evenings and weekends, middle of the night).

Survey respondents expressed keen interest in the subject, according to the interviewers, resulting in high participation rates. The final response rate was 81% of the 17,616 individuals selected in the initial sample. The survey content, while not expected to address perfectly the need for information on these two indicator areas, describes patterns of service utilization and difficulties experienced by respondents in accessing services during the past twelve months. Results were released July 15, 2002.

See our report: Sanmartin C, Houle C, Berthelot J-M, White K. Access to Health Care Services in Canada, 2001. Statistics Canada, Catalogue 82-575-X1E (available at , free publications)

Christian Houle