biostudies-literatureMarshall EGCanadian Institutes of Health ResearchCIHRe049686https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8905966biostudies-literatureUnknown12(3)<h4>Introduction</h4>Access to a primary care provider is a key component of high-functioning healthcare systems. In Canada, 15% of patients do not have a regular primary care provider and are classified as 'unattached'. In an effort to link unattached patients with a provider, seven Canadian provinces implemented centralised waitlists (CWLs). The effectiveness of CWLs in attaching patients to regular primary care providers is unknown. Factors influencing CWLs effectiveness, particularly across jurisdictional contexts, have yet to be confirmed.<h4>Methods and analysis</h4>A mixed methods case study will be conducted across three Canadian provinces: Ontario, Québec and Nova Scotia. Quantitatively, CWL data will be linked to administrative and provider billing data to assess the rates of patBMJ openCUP study: protocol for a comparative analysis of centralised waitlist effectiveness, policies and innovations for connecting unattached patients to primary care providers.PMC8905966PJT-166115Nesto SMoritz LRMcPherson CSmithman MAEdwards LAndrew MBreton MGreen MAshcroft RRyan Carson SBayoumi IAyn CWong STStock DBurge FMarshall EGDeslauriers VLawson BMathews MfalseCUP study: protocol for a comparative analysis of centralised waitlist effectiveness, policies and innovations for connecting unattached patients to primary care providers.<h4>Introduction</h4>Access to a primary care provider is a key component of high-functioning healthcare systems. In Canada, 15% of patients do not have a regular primary care provider and are classified as 'unattached'. In an effort to link unattached patients with a provider, seven Canadian provinces implemented centralised waitlists (CWLs). The effectiveness of CWLs in attaching patients to regular primary care providers is unknown. Factors influencing CWLs effectiveness, particularly across jurisdictional contexts, have yet to be confirmed.<h4>Methods and analysis</h4>A mixed methods case study will be conducted across three Canadian provinces: Ontario, Québec and Nova Scotia. Quantitatively, CWL data will be linked to administrative and provider billing data to assess the rates of pat2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Mar2025-04-29T10:58:53.966Z2025-04-06T19:48:38.093ZS-EPMC89059663525644010.1136/bmjopen-2021-049686