Perceptions of Family Medicine Among Medical Students in Ontario: Results of a Provincial Survey

Survey methods

In the spring of 2025, the Ontario Medical Students Association (OMSA) conducted a survey to better understand medical students in Ontario’s view on family medicine as a potential specialty. The survey was in field from to February 24 to April 20, 2025. It was delivered via the Alida Research Platform and distributed through OMA Communication and OMSA newsletters, as well as school-specific platforms. A total of n=470 individuals participated the survey, representing approximately 12% of all medical students in Ontario. The survey included students at all stages of training, with 56% of students in pre-clerkship and 42% of students in clerkship.

Key Takeaways

Medical students remain interested in family medicine, but perceive that there are deterrents to the specialty.

Remuneration and administrative burden are the greatest concerns for medical students.

Medical students are showing interest in other provinces that are making changes to their remuneration model.

Students are more interested in +1 Enhanced Skills training, rather than comprehensive “cradle to grave” family medicine.

Interest in Family Medicine

When asked, “How likely are you to pursue family medicine?”, students indicated the following:

of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that “family medicine is a backup speciality”

of respondents agree or strongly agree that “family medicine is a well paid specialty”

of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that “family medicine is has a good work-life balance”

Perceptions of Family Medicine

Disadvantages to Family Medicine

Insufficient remuneration and administrative burden are the top perceived deterrents to pursuing family medicine among respondents.

Advantages to Family Medicine

Long-term patient relationship, shorter duration of residency, and flexible work hours are the top perceived advantages to family medicine

When asked, “What sources have informed your perspective of family medicine (select all that apply)?”, students indicated:

Future Family Medicine Practice

When asked, “If you were to match to family medicine as a first choice discipline or back-up, what do you imagine that your career would primarily look like?” (select all that apply):

Only 50% Respondents Reported An Interested In Comprehensive Family Medicine If they Match to the Specialty

Rather, students indicated the following more highly as career interests:

Enhanced skills +1 training (80%)
Other types of practice without +1 training (e.g. hospitalist, urgent care) (55%)
Leadership (e.g. hospital administration) (26%)
Research (15%)

When respondents were asked where they would be mostly likely practice family medicine (regardless of training location), the most popular locations were:

Ontario (88%)
British Columbia (48%)
Alberta (17%)

The most common reasons were remuneration models & proximity to family.

Influence of Policy Changes

said they were more likely or much more likely to pursue comprehensive family medicine if there were changes to the current remuneration / pay model.

said they were more likely or much more likely to pursue comprehensive family medicine if there was a decrease to the administrative burden.

said they were more likely or much more likely to pursue comprehensive family medicine if there were loan relief and tuition refund programs.

said they were more likely or much more likely to pursue comprehensive family medicine if there was more team-based primary care.

Rural, Remote, & Northern Family Medicine

of respondents are somewhat likely or very likely to practice in a rural, remote, or northern community, if they matched to family medicine

of respondents feel that their medical school training provides exposure to rural, remote, or northern community well or very well

of respondents stated they would be somewhat or much more likely to pursue opportunities in rural, remote, or northern communities if a Rural Coordination Centre was created to provide support and resources