A Profile of Family Practice in London, Ont

The need is great for a clear picture of who the family physicians of Canada are, how they function and in what way they are changing. Ninety-nine per cent of London family physicians responded to a survey on their personal and practice characteristics. The average London family physician is 43.5 years old and has been in practice in London 10.3 years. He sees 128 patients per week in his office; on a typical day, has 2.6 patients in hospital under his care and 2.8 patients under referred care. He makes 4.7 housecalls per week. The apparent London trend is towards younger family physicians, more of whom are female and fewer of whom practice alone. There are also more family physicians in London now than previously.