A study of family physician scope of practice in Ontario

Abstract

The broad aim of the research described in this thesis was to develop a more comprehensive understanding of scope of practice (SOP) within medicine in Canada, with an emphasis on family and general practice in Ontario. A more specific objective was to determine the common conceptual elements of SOP, what differences there are in how SOP is conceived, and what implications these differences have for health policy, physician regulation, continuing professional development and practice. This study aimed to answer three research questions, resulting in chapters two, three and four of this thesis. A sequential qualitative methods approach based on a modified institutionalist conceptual framework of ‘ideas, interests and institutions’ guided the overall approach to this study.