Why do 6.5 million people in Canada lack a family doctor or access to primary care—and what can be done about it?

In this podcast, Dr. Tara Kiran unpacks the root causes of Canada’s primary care crisis and, more importantly, explores solutions. The podcast is centred on the OurCare Standard—six simple statements that define what every person in Canada should expect from the primary care system:

1. Everyone has a relationship with a primary care clinician who works with other health professionals in a publicly funded team.

2. Everyone receives ongoing care from their primary care team and can access them in a timely way.

3. Everyone’s primary care team is connected to community and social services that together support their physical, mental, and social well-being.

4. Everyone can access their health record online and share it with their clinicians.

5. Everyone receives culturally safe care that meets their needs from clinicians that represent the diversity of the communities they serve.

6. Everyone receives care from a primary care system that is accountable to the communities it serves.

To explore how we can achieve this vision, Dr. Kiran travels across Canada and around the world, uncovering what’s working in places like the Netherlands, Costa Rica, and Denmark—countries known for high-quality primary care. She also takes listeners inside innovative clinics across Canada that are rethinking how care is delivered.

Join Dr. Kiran as she dives deep into the challenges, innovations, and possibilities for building a better primary care system for all.

About Dr. Tara Kiran: Dr. Tara Kiran is a family physician and researcher who is passionate about building a stronger, more equitable primary care system in Canada. She practices at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto where she is also a scientist at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions. She is the Fidani Chair in Improvement and Innovation at the University of Toronto, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto, and a Senior Adjunct Scientist at ICES. In her research and practice, she finds and tests solutions to make healthcare more inclusive and effective. In 2022, Dr. Kiran launched OurCare, a national initiative to engage the public in shaping the future of primary care in Canada.

Important Links:Visit primaryfocus.ca to learn more. Read about the OurCare Standard at ourcare.caSubscribe to our Substack newsletterLearn more about Dr. Kiran's research: and work to improve practice in Canada.