ALBERTA (Thursday, May 20) — Albertans visited the albertafindadoctor.ca website in record numbers during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more than 200,000 turned to the online service to find a family doctor.

The website, which was launched by the province’s Primary Care Networks and Alberta Health Services in April 2019, makes it easier and quicker for Albertans to connect with doctors taking new patients.

A total of 219,514 Albertans visited the website 343,634 times from April 2020 to March 2021, which represented a 57 per cent increase in visits compared to the previous year. The number of users also rose 27 per cent. About one in five family physicians in Alberta, 669 in total, are currently accepting new patients. Nurse practitioners taking patients are also listed on the website.

“It has never been more important to have a trusted health-care provider and we’re pleased so many Albertans have used the Alberta Find a Doctor website to search for a physician for themselves or a family member,” said Calgary family doctor Dr. Ernst Greyvenstein, Primary Care Network Physician Lead for the Calgary Zone.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the trusted relationship between family doctors and their patients has been critical to ensuring Albertans have access to the care they need in their communities. This website has become an important tool and resource for Albertans.”

Download the report.