A new report has sparked debate over healthcare access and system efficiency in Quebec after revealing that one resident recorded 362 appointments with a family doctor in 2024, the highest number reported among provinces surveyed in Canada.
The figures were obtained through a freedom of information request submitted by SecondStreet.org to the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec. According to the data, the top 10 highest users of family doctor services in Quebec each recorded between 295 and 362 visits during the year.
Billing records showed physicians received between roughly $20,976 and $23,496 for treating those patients, depending on the number of consultations and services provided.
RAMQ stated that the totals represent all patient-physician contacts on a specific day and at a specific facility. That means multiple visits in one day could be counted if a patient saw more than one doctor or accessed care in different settings such as clinics, hospitals or long-term care homes. The agency also said it does not track the medical reasons behind each appointment.
When compared with other provinces included in the report, Quebec’s highest number stood well above most jurisdictions. British Columbia’s top patient had 209 visits, Manitoba’s had 252 and Saskatchewan’s had 199. Alberta did not provide identifying details for top users.
The broader numbers also drew attention. In Quebec, 11,586 people visited a doctor between 51 and 100 times in 2024, while 1,611 residents had more than 100 appointments.
The findings come as pressure continues to mount on Quebec’s healthcare system. Recent studies show access to family doctors has worsened in recent years, with the percentage of residents attached to a regular family doctor dropping from 82 per cent in 2019 to 72 per cent in 2024. Today, an estimated 1.5 million Quebecers are without a family doctor.
The report is likely to fuel fresh discussion about how medical resources are being used, whether billing systems need closer oversight, and how provinces can better balance frequent care needs with access for patients still searching for a doctor.