Dr. Terrence McDonald
July 5, 2024
Introducing O'Brien Institute’s "Shaping the Future of Healthcare" series
Primary care
At the O'Brien Institute for Public Health, we are privileged to work alongside some of the brightest minds in healthcare research. Our members are dedicated to advancing knowledge and developing innovative solutions that address the most pressing health challenges in Alberta and beyond.
We recognize that as Albertans, we are in unprecedented times as our healthcare system undergoes restructuring. In light of this, we are excited to launch O'Brien Institute’s Shaping the Future of Healthcare series, where we will be highlighting some exceptional researchers who are driving change and making a profound impact in the following key areas:
Each week, we will feature dedicated members from these categories, showcasing their groundbreaking work, achievements, and the positive influence they have on our community. These individuals exemplify the O'Brien Institute’s spirit of innovation, compassion, and excellence.
Join us in celebrating these healthcare research innovators and learning more about the incredible strides they are making to improve health outcomes for all Albertans. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, insightful research, and a glimpse into the future of healthcare.
Let’s honour the people behind the progress. Together, we can foster a healthier, brighter future.
Primary Care:
Primary care includes all of the services and resources we have as Albertans to support our daily health needs. Often times, it is our point of access to the healthcare system. Primary care is the foundation of our healthcare system, and it is important that all Albertans have equitable access to primary care. Read about some of our members who are transforming the quality and delivery of primary care in Alberta.
Dr. Terrence McDonald: Ensuring continuity of care: Addressing family physician supply to inform policy
Dr. Terrence McDonald, MD, is a leading health services researcher in primary care. His research explores the supply of family physicians (FP), their practice patterns and the relationship between daily patient visit volume, provider continuity on health services utilization and patient health outcomes. Dr. McDonald’s research aims to inform current and future policy discussions on the design of the primary care system and physician payment model including how physicians are optimally remunerated for the patient care they provide.
The impact of continuity of care on patient health outcomes:
A recent study by Dr. McDonald and his team found that patients seen in primary clinics where multiple family physicians work together as a team and provide a ‘buddy-system‘ for caring for their patients had less emergency department visits.
There is extensive research on the benefits of physician continuity, but less is known is about the impact of clinic continuity on patient health outcomes and health system utilization. The trend of family physicians offering less direct patient care and choosing more part-time practice, coupled with a physician shortage and a growing population—many of whom are older and have multiple, complex health conditions—means that not all patients have access to their own family physician. Dr. McDonald’s research provides evidence to help policymakers design a primary care system that addresses the shortage of services by implementing team-based or shared care models within our communities.
Addressing concerns about the supply of family physicians:
In examining the supply of FPs in Ontario and Alberta using a service day methodology his team developed, Dr. McDonald found that while the number of FPs increased over time, many are providing less direct patient care. Furthermore, the number of new FPs (i.e., graduates) has declined and the supply of FPs has not kept pace with the growing and aging population. These findings are important because they highlight the gaps in the FP workforce and overall primary care model that need to be filled.
Why does this work matter?
Dr. McDonald’s research aims to address some of the major issues faced by many patients in Alberta and throughout Canada. The current shortage of family physicians creates major problems with access and continuity of care, which in turn places an enormous pressure on the health system including the inappropriate use of emergency departments for medical conditions normally managed by community family physicians. Through his research, Dr. McDonald aims to offer valuable insights into how best to address these issues and ultimately improve patient care, lower health systems costs, and reduce family physician burnout.
Dr. McDonald is a family physician and an assistant professor in the departments of family medicine and community health sciences. He is a member of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health.