Exploring the perspectives of non-insured individuals utilizing emergency departments in Toronto: a qualitative study.

Objective: Non-insured individuals face unique challenges when accessing emergency department (ED) care in Canada. This qualitative study explores the firsthand experiences of non-insured patients within the ED to understand how we can improve the system of care.

Methods: This community-based research was conducted in collaboration with a community health center which has multiple service locations in Toronto, Ontario.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of primary care visits for substance use among patients in Ontario, Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the prevalence of substance use presentations. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of primary care visits for substance use including tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use among primary care patients in Ontario, Canada. Diagnostic and service fee code data were collected from a longitudinal cohort of family medicine patients during pre-pandemic (March 14, 2019-March 13, 2020) and pandemic periods (March 14, 2020-March 13, 2021).

Exploring the perspectives of healthcare providers that care for non-insured individuals utilizing emergency departments in Toronto.

Background: Non-insured individuals have different healthcare needs from the general Canadian population and face unique barriers when accessing emergency department (ED) care. This qualitative study aims to better understand the system of emergency care for non-insured individuals from the perspective of healthcare providers.

Methods: The study uses a critical realist framework to explore structural factors that facilitate or impede access to care for non-insured individuals.