Routine Collection of Patient-Reported Data to Support the Needs of Primary Care Within an Integrated Healthcare System.

Ontario Health Teams (OHTs), models of integrated care, are responsible for measuring and improving patient experience. However, routine collection of patient-reported data has not been fully realized, presenting a significant system-wide gap. We conducted a pilot study to implement routine collection of patient-reported data in the Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (FLA) OHT. Each clinic integrated the survey, which captured encounter experience, health and well-being and demographics into their workflow. During the five-month pilot, over 1,200 patients shared their experiences. Clinics reported that the data were valuable for ongoing quality improvement, boosting staff morale and providing a voice to patients. Each site needed flexibility for deployment and to ensure that they captured data relevant to their practice needs. A balance is needed to meet differing needs at each level of the system, requiring cross-sectoral commitment for integrated care systems to truly understand the patient experience and health of the population.

Research, Sovereignty and Action: Lessons from a First Nations-Led Study on Aging in Ontario.

First Nations in Ontario are building capacity to leverage health services data in Ontario to provide robust, First Nations-driven health evidence. Beyond providing evidence, population health research processes must involve diverse First Nations' perspectives, collective capacity building and translation of research findings into action through integrated and community engaged knowledge translation and exchange (KTE) approaches. Suggested ways include integrating stories and traditional knowledge, prioritizing gatherings and establishing an enduring commitment to action. To effectively support First Nations' self-determination and sovereignty, First Nations' principles of ownership, control, access and possession (OCAP®) in research could be expanded to include "action" (OCAPA).

Monitoring, treatment and control of blood glucose and lipids in Ontario First Nations people with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Indigenous people worldwide are disproportionately affected by diabetes and its complications. We aimed to assess the monitoring, treatment and control of blood glucose and lipids in First Nations people in Ontario. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal population-based study using administrative data for all people in Ontario with diabetes, stratified by First Nations status. We assessed age- and sex-specific rates of completion of recommended monitoring for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) from 2001/02 to 2014/15. We used data from 2014/15 to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of rates of achievement of A1c and LDL targets and use of glucose-lowering medications. RESULTS: The study included 22 240 First Nations people and 1 319 503 other people in Ontario with diabetes. Rates of monitoring according to guidelines were 20%-50% for A1c and 30%-70% for lipids and were lowest for younger First Nations men. The mean age- and sex-adjusted A1c level was higher among First Nations people than other people (7.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.57 to 7.61] v. 7.03 [95% CI 7.02 to 7.03]). An A1c level of 8.5% or higher was observed in 24.7% (95% CI 23.6 to 25.0) of First Nations people, compared to 12.8% (95% CI 12.1 to 13.5) of other people in Ontario. An LDL level of 2.0 mmol/L or less was observed in 60.3% (95% CI 59.7 to 61.6) of First Nations people, compared to 52.0% (95% CI 51.1 to 52.9) of other people in Ontario. Among those aged 65 or older, a higher proportion of First Nations people than other Ontarians were using insulin (28.1% v. 15.1%), and fewer were taking no medications (28.3% v. 40.1%). INTERPRETATION: As of 2014/15, monitoring and achievement of glycemic control in both First Nations people and other people in Ontario with diabetes remained suboptimal. Interventions to support First Nations patients to reach their treatment goals and reduce the risk of complications need further development and study.

Diabetes prevalence, incidence and mortality in First Nations and other people in Ontario, 1995-2014: a population-based study using linked administrative data.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is an established health concern in First Nations communities and is associated with complex influences of colonization. This study, a partnership between First Nations and academic researchers, was undertaken to determine patterns of diabetes prevalence, incidence and mortality in Ontario. METHODS: Using health services and population data from Ontario for 1995 to 2014, linked with the federal Indian Register, we calculated age- and sex-adjusted annual estimates of diabetes prevalence, incidence and mortality for First Nations people (living within and outside First Nations communities) and other people in Ontario. We also examined age- and sex-specific crude diabetes prevalence. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2014, the prevalence of diabetes increased and the incidence decreased somewhat in all populations. Both prevalence and incidence were substantially higher among First Nations people than among other people in Ontario. In particular, First Nations women had higher prevalence than other women (4.2% v. 1.6% for ages 20-34 yr and 17.6% v. 6.0% for ages 35-49 yr). The lifetime risk of diabetes was higher among First Nations people than among other people in Ontario (57.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 56.3%-57.6% v. 44.5%, 95% CI 44.4%-44.6%). Over time, all-cause mortality for those with diabetes declined but remained consistently higher for First Nations people than for other people in Ontario. INTERPRETATION: Diabetes is more common among First Nations people than among other people in Ontario, particularly at younger ages and in women. First Nations-led approaches to address the high prevalence of diabetes in younger First Nations women have the potential to improve metabolic health across generations.

Priority measures for publicly reporting primary care performance: Results of public engagement through deliberative dialogues in 3 Canadian provinces.

OBJECTIVE: While public reporting of hospital-based performance measurement is commonplace, it has lagged in the primary care sector, especially in Canada. Despite the increasing recognition of patients as active partners in the health-care system, little is known about what information about primary care performance is relevant to the Canadian public. We explored patient perspectives and priorities for the public reporting of primary care performance measures. METHODS: We conducted six deliberative dialogue sessions across three Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia). Participants were asked to rank and discuss the importance of collecting and reporting on specific dimensions and indicators of primary care performance. We conducted a thematic analysis of the data. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients participated in the dialogue sessions. Measures of access to primary care providers, communication with providers and continuity of information across all providers involved in a patient's care were identified as the highest priority indicators of primary care performance from a patient perspective. Several common measures of quality of care, such as rates of cancer screening, were viewed as too patient dependent to be used to evaluate the health system or primary care provider's performance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that public reporting aimed at patient audiences should focus on a nuanced measure of access, incorporation of context reported alongside measurement that is for public audiences, clear reporting on provider communication and a measure of information continuity. Participants highlighted the importance the public places on their providers staying up to date with advances in care.

Examining patterns in medication documentation of trade and generic names in an academic family practice training centre.

BACKGROUND: Studies in the United States have shown that physicians commonly use brand names when documenting medications in an outpatient setting. However, the prevalence of prescribing and documenting brand name medication has not been assessed in a clinical teaching environment. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of generic versus brand names for a select number of pharmaceutical products in clinical documentation in a large, urban academic family practice centre. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of the electronic medical records of the St. Michael's Hospital Academic Family Health Team (SMHAFHT). Data for twenty commonly prescribed medications were collected from the Cumulative Patient Profile as of August 1, 2014. Each medication name was classified as generic or trade. Associations between documentation patterns and physician characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Among 9763 patients prescribed any of the twenty medications of interest, 45% of patient charts contained trade nomenclature exclusively. 32% of charts contained only generic nomenclature, and 23% contained a mix of generic and trade nomenclature. There was large variation in use of generic nomenclature amongst physicians, ranging from 19% to 93%. CONCLUSIONS: Trade names in clinical documentation, which likely reflect prescribing habits, continue to be used abundantly in the academic setting. This may become part of the informal curriculum, potentially facilitating undue bias in trainees. Further study is needed to determine characteristics which influence use of generic or trade nomenclature and the impact of this trend on trainees' clinical knowledge and decision-making.

Risk Factors of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Children.

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury may be promoted by critical illness, preexisting medical conditions, and treatments received both before and during ICU admission. We aimed to estimate the frequency of acute kidney injury during ICU treatment and to determine factors, occurring both before and during the ICU stay, associated with the development of acute kidney injury. DESIGN: Cohort study of critically ill children. SETTING: University-affiliated PICU. PATIENTS: Eligible patients were admitted to the ICU between January 2006 and June 2009. We excluded those admitted with known primary renal failure, chronic renal failure or postrenal transplant, conditions with known renal complications, or metabolic conditions treated with dialysis. Patients were also excluded if they had a short ICU stay (< 6 hr) and those who had no creatinine or urine output measurements during their ICU stay. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 3,865 pediatric patients who met the inclusion criteria, 915 (23.7%) developed acute kidney injury, as classified by the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, and End-stage kidney disease criteria, during their ICU stay. Patients at high risk for development of acute kidney injury included those urgently admitted to the ICU (adjusted odds ratio, 1.88), those who developed respiratory dysfunction during their ICU care (adjusted odds ratio, 2.90), and those who treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (adjusted odds ratio, 2.72). The single greatest risk factor for acute kidney injury was the administration of nephrotoxic medications during ICU admission (adjusted odds ratio, 3.37). CONCLUSIONS: This study, the largest evaluating the incidence of RIFLE-defined acute kidney injury in critically ill children, found that one-quarter of patients admitted to the ICU developed acute kidney injury. We identified a number of potentially modifiable risk factors, the largest of which was the administration of nephrotoxic medication. The results of this study may be used to inform targeted interventions to reduce acute kidney injury and improve the outcomes of critically ill children.

Measuring the patient experience in primary care: Comparing e-mail and waiting room survey delivery in a family health team.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics and responses of patients completing a patient experience survey accessed online after e-mail notification or delivered in the waiting room using tablet computers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison of 2 methods of delivering a patient experience survey. SETTING: A large family health team in Toronto, Ont. PARTICIPANTS: Family practice patients aged 18 or older who completed an e-mail survey between January and June 2014 (N = 587) or who completed the survey in the waiting room in July and August 2014 (N = 592). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of respondent demographic characteristics and responses to questions related to access and patient-centredness. RESULTS: Patients responding to the e-mail survey were more likely to live in higher-income neighbourhoods (P = .0002), be between the ages of 35 and 64 (P = .0147), and be female (P = .0434) compared with those responding to the waiting room survey; there were no significant differences related to self-rated health. The differences in neighbourhood income were noted despite minimal differences between patients with and without e-mail addresses included in their medical records. There were few differences in responses to the survey questions between the 2 survey methods and any differences were explained by the underlying differences in patient demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that respondent demographic characteristics might differ depending on the method of survey delivery, and these differences might affect survey responses. Methods of delivering patient experience surveys that require electronic literacy might underrepresent patients living in low-income neighbourhoods. Practices should consider evaluating for nonresponse bias and adjusting for patient demographic characteristics when interpreting survey results. Further research is needed to understand how primary care practices can optimize electronic survey delivery methods to survey a representative sample of patients.

Missed connections: Unintended consequences of updated cervical cancer screening guidelines on screening rates for sexually transmitted infections.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of the updated 2012 cervical cancer screening guidelines on the rates of sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in primary care. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Five academic family practice units at St Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Ont. PARTICIPANTS: Female patients, aged 19 to 25, who had at least 1 visit with a physician at 1 of the 5 academic family practice units during a 12-month period before (May 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012) or after (November 1, 2012, to October 31, 2013) the release of the updated guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of women who received Papanicolaou tests or underwent STI screening; rates of STI screening performed during a Pap test or a periodic health examination; screening rates for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C; and the methods used for STI screening before and after the release of the updated guidelines. Results Before the release of the 2012 guidelines, 42 of 100 women had Pap tests and 40 of 100 women underwent STI screening. After the release of the guidelines, 17 of 100 women had Pap tests and 20 of 100 women received STI screening. Female patients were less likely to undergo STI screening under the 2012 guidelines compared with the 2005 guidelines (odds ratio 0.38, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.74; P = .003). CONCLUSION: Implementation of the 2012 cervical cancer screening guidelines was associated with lower rates of STI screening in the primary care setting. Primary care physicians should screen at-risk women for STIs at any clinically appropriate encounter and consider using noninvasive self-sampling methods.

An interprofessional approach to collaborative management of low-back pain in primary care: A scholarly analysis of a successful educational module for prelicensure learners.

OBJECTIVE: In 2008, an interprofessional education (IPE) working group was formed to develop a module on interdisciplinary low-back pain management to fill a curricular gap at our institution. This article describes the program evaluation outcomes and highlights factors contributing to its successful implementation over 8 years through reference to Brigg's Presage-Process-Product (3-P) Model of Teaching and Learning. METHODS: Program evaluation occurred through administration of a pre- and postmodule Health Professional Collaborative Competency Perception Scale, with scores compared using paired t tests. Descriptive statistics were analyzed from 5-point Likert scales for module session components. RESULTS: A total of 853 students from 9 health care occupations (medicine, chiropractic, physiotherapy, pharmacy, nursing, nurse practitioner, occupational therapy, physiotherapy assistants, and occupational therapist assistants) participated in 51 iterations of the module from 2011 to 2019, averaging 16 participants each session. All Health Professional Collaborative Competency Perception Scale items significantly improved from pre- to postintervention (p < .001) for learners from 6 health professions. Module components were rated highly, with the majority of learners rating these as 4 (helpful) or 5 (very helpful) for their learning. Participants also improved their scores in perceived history and physical exam comfort, knowledge of pharmacotherapy, management options, and attitudes regarding an interprofessional approach to back pain (p < .001). CONCLUSION: This article describes the presage, process factors, and products of this model IPE program that provides learners from various health care professions with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary management of low-back pain, as demonstrated through improvement in collaborative competencies.

A systematic review of RIFLE criteria in children, and its application and association with measures of mortality and morbidity.

The RIFLE criteria were developed to improve consistency in the assessment of acute kidney injury. The high face validity, collaborative development method, and validation against mortality have supported the widespread adoption of the RIFLE to evaluate adult patients; however, its inconsistent application in adult studies is associated with significant effects on the estimated incidence of acute kidney injury. As the RIFLE criteria are now being used to determine acute kidney injury in children, we conducted a systematic review to describe its application and assess associations between the RIFLE and measures of mortality and morbidity in pediatric patients. In 12 studies we found wide variation in the application of the RIFLE, including the range of assessed RIFLE categories, omission of urine output criteria, varying definitions of baseline renal function, and methods for handling missing baseline measurements. Limited and conflicting associations between the RIFLE and mortality, length of stay, illness severity, and measures of kidney function were found. Thus, although the RIFLE was developed to improve the consistency of defining acute kidney injury, there are still major discrepancies in its use in pediatric patients that may undermine its potential utility as a standardized measure of acute kidney injury in children.

Wellness in the Face of Frailty Among Older Adults in First Nations Communities.

OBJECTIVES: First Nations people report high levels of wellness despite high rates of chronic illness. Our goal was to understand the factors associated with wellness among First Nations adults in Ontario who were considered frail. METHODS: Using the First Nations Regional Health Survey, we created a profile of First Nations adults (aged 45+) who were categorized as "frail" (weighted sample size = 8121). We used multivariate logistic regression to determine associations between wellness (as measured by self-reported physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual balance) and determinants of health. RESULTS: Rates of reported wellness were high among those who were frail, ranging from 56.7% reporting physical balance to 71.6% reporting mental balance. Three key elements were associated with wellness: the availability of resources, individual lifestyle factors, and cultural connection and identity. DISCUSSION: Our findings provide a profile of strength and wellness among older First Nations adults living with frailty.

Musculoskeletal comorbidities in cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory disease: the impact on activity limitations; a representative population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to quantify the contribution of comorbidity to activity limitations in populations with chronic cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory disease (index conditions), with emphasis on musculoskeletal comorbidity (arthritis or back problems). METHODS: Analysis of the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey 3.1 (age 20+ years, n = 115,915). Prevalence ratios for activity limitations in people with the index conditions and co-occurring musculoskeletal disease, adjusted for age, gender, and socioeconomic factors, were used to estimate population associated fractions (PAF). RESULTS: Comorbid arthritis and back problems significantly increased the risk of activity limitations across all index conditions with prevalence ratios of 1.60 and 1.46 for cardiovascular disease, 1.51 and 1.36 for diabetes, and 1.38 and 1.44 for respiratory disease for arthritis and back problems respectively. Arthritis and back problems accounted for at least 13% and 9% of activity limitations in the index populations. CONCLUSIONS: While chronic musculoskeletal conditions are not always considered priorities in chronic disease prevention, they account for a substantial proportion of activity restrictions seen in people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory disease, with implications for prevention and control strategies.

Challenges for Family Medicine Residents in Attaining the CanMEDS Professional Role: A Thematic Analysis of Preceptor Field Notes.

PURPOSE: Among the roles of the competent physician is that of a professional, according to the Canadian Medical Education Directives for Specialists (CanMEDS) framework, which describes the abilities physicians require to effectively meet the health care needs of the people they serve. Through examination of preceptor field notes on resident performance, the authors identified aspects of this role with which family medicine residents struggle. METHOD: The authors used a structured thematic analysis in this qualitative study to explore the written feedback postgraduate medical learners receive at the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine. Seventy field notes written between 2015 and 2017 by clinical educators for residents who scored "below expectation" in the CanMEDS professional role were analyzed. From free-text comments, the authors derived inductive codes, amalgamated the codes into themes, and measured the frequency of the occurrence of the codes. The authors then mapped the themes to the key competencies of the CanMEDS professional role. RESULTS: From the field notes, 7 themes emerged that described reasons for poor performance. Lack of collegiality, failure to adhere to standards of practice or legal guidelines, and lack of reflection or self-learning were identified as major issues. Other themes were failure to maintain boundaries, taking actions that could have a negative impact on patient care, failure to maintain patient confidentiality, and failure to engage in self-care. When the themes were mapped to the key competencies in the CanMEDS professional role, most related to the competency "commitment to the profession." CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights aspects of professional conduct with which residents struggle and suggests that the way professionalism is taught in residency programs-and at all medical training levels-should be reassessed. Educational interventions that emphasize learners' commitment to the profession could enhance the development of more practitioners who are consummate professionals.

Understanding Aging, Frailty, and Resilience in Ontario First Nations.

Following Canadian estimates of frailty, academic researchers and the Chiefs of Ontario came together to create the first Ontario-wide profile of aging in First Nations people in Ontario. Using self-reported data from First Nations adults who participated in the Ontario First Nations Regional Health Survey Phase 2, we found that First Nations people in Ontario experience higher rates of frailty than the general Canadian population and early onset frailty appears to affect First Nations communities. This is important to consider as communities plan for health care needs of an aging population and is particularly relevant in the face of Covid-19, as we know severity is exacerbated by underlying health conditions.

Aging and Sexual Health: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients in a Canadian Urban Academic Family Health Team.

Primary care physicians are in a position to recognize sexuality as a core component of health. Data examining the sexual behaviours of Canadians over the age of 50 and the role of primary care in this domain is lacking. A cross-sectional survey was administered to patients over the age of 50, which assessed the importance of sexual activity, problems, and preferences in discussing sexual health with their primary care providers. A total of 39 per cent of patients indicated ongoing sexual activity and 52% of male participants reported current sexual activity compared with 25 per cent of females (p < 0.01). More males reported sexual activity as important than did females (69% vs. 45%, p < 0.01). Participants identifying sexual health concerns discussed physical dysfunctions more than emotional, social, or global health concerns (p < 0.01). More male participants discussed sexual health concerns with their family physician than did females (p < 0.01). The results of our study indicate that many individuals over the age of 50 continue to be sexually active, and that physical and non-physical concerns directly impact participation in sexual activity.

Use of the health care system by Ontario First Nations people with diabetes: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: First Nations people in Ontario have an increased prevalence of diabetes compared to other people in the province. This study examined use of health care services by First Nations people with diabetes and other people with diabetes in Ontario. METHODS: Using linked health administrative databases, we identified all people in Ontario with diabetes as of Apr. 1, 2014. We identified First Nations people using the Indian Register. We looked at outcomes from Apr. 1, 2014, to Mar. 31, 2015. We determined the proportion of people with a regular family physician and their continuity of care with that physician. We also examined visits with specialists for diabetes care, hospital admissions for ambulatory-care-sensitive conditions, and emergency department visits for hypo- or hyperglycemia. RESULTS: There were 1 380 529 people diagnosed with diabetes in Ontario as of Apr. 1, 2014, of whom 22 952 (1.7%) were First Nations people. First Nations people were less likely to have a regular family physician (85.3% v. 97.7%) and had lower continuity of care with that physician (mean score for continuity of care 74.6 v. 77.7) than other people in Ontario. They were also less likely to see specialists. First Nations people were more likely to be admitted to hospital for ambulatory-care-sensitive conditions (2.4% v. 1.2%) and to have an emergency department visit for hypo- or hyperglycemia (1.5% v. 0.8%). Disparities were particularly marked for those living in First Nations communities. INTERPRETATION: First Nations people with diabetes in Ontario had poorer access to and use of primary care than other people with diabetes in the province. These findings may help explain continued disparities in the rates of complications related to diabetes.

Prevalence, incidence and outcomes of diabetes in Ontario First Nations children: a longitudinal population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: First Nations people are known to have a higher risk of childhood-onset type 2 diabetes, yet population-level data about diabetes in First Nations children are unavailable. In a partnership between Chiefs of Ontario and academic researchers, we describe the epidemiologic features and outcomes of diabetes in First Nations children in Ontario. METHODS: We created annual cohorts from 1995/96 to 2014/15 using data from the Registered Persons Database linked with the federal Indian Register. We used the Ontario Diabetes Database to identify children with all types of diabetes and calculated the prevalence and incidence for First Nations children and other children in Ontario. We describe glycemic control in First Nations children and other children in 2014. RESULTS: In 2014/15, there were 254 First Nations children and 10 144 other children with diagnosed diabetes in Ontario. From 1995/96 to 2014/15, the prevalence increased from 0.17 to 0.57 per 100 children, and the annual incidence increased from 37 to 94 per 100 000 per year among First Nations children. In 2014/15, the prevalence of diabetes was 0.62/100 among First Nations girls and 0.36/100 among other girls. The mean glycosylated hemoglobin level among First Nations children was 9.1% (standard deviation 2.7%) and for other children, 8.5% (standard deviation 2.1%). INTERPRETATION: First Nations children have substantially higher rates of diabetes than non-Aboriginal children in Ontario; this is likely driven by an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes and increased risk for diabetes among First Nations girls. There is an urgent need for strategies to address modifiable factors associated with the risk of diabetes, improve access to culturally sensitive diabetes care and improve outcomes for First Nations children.

Diabetes-induced eye disease among First Nations people in Ontario: a longitudinal, population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In Canada, First Nations populations experience a higher incidence of diabetes and diabetes-related complications than other people. Given the paucity of information on use of preventive eye examinations and the need for interventional care for severe retinopathy among First Nations people, we carried out a population-based study to compare rates of eye examinations and interventional therapies to treat vision-threatening stages of diabetic retinopathy among First Nations people and other people with diabetes in Ontario. METHODS: In collaboration with the Chiefs of Ontario, we carried out a population-based study to identify cohorts of First Nations people and other people with diabetes in Ontario from 1995/96 to 2014/15. We used linked health administrative databases to evaluate rates of eye examination (2005/06-2014/15) and severe diabetic retinopathy treatment and compared them between the 2 populations, and between First Nations people living in and outside of First Nations communities. RESULTS: We identified 23 013 First Nations people and 1 364 222 other people diagnosed with diabetes from 1995/96 to 2014/15, of whom 49.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.9%-50.7%) and 53.8% (95% CI 53.7%-54.0%), respectively, received an eye examination in 2014/15. Eye examination rates were similar for First Nations people regardless of whether they lived in or outside a First Nations community. First Nations people developed severe diabetic retinopathy at a faster rate than other people (hazard ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.02-1.38). The gap between First Nations people and other people in the proportion requiring therapy for severe diabetic retinopathy was especially prominent among younger people. There were no significant differences in rates of diabetic retinopathy treatment in First Nations people stratified by place of residence. INTERPRETATION: Eye examination rates remain suboptimal among people with diabetes in Ontario and were lower among First Nations people. This is particularly concerning in light of our other findings showing an increased risk of requiring treatment for advanced diabetic retinopathy and the accelerated rate of diabetic retinopathy progression among First Nations people with diabetes.