Walk-in clinics in Ontario. An atmosphere of tension.

Objective: To explore family practice (FP), emergency department (ED), and walk-in clinic (WIC) physicians' perceptions and experiences regarding the effect of walk-in clinics on Ontario's health care system.

Design: Qualitative method of focus groups.

Setting: Hamilton, London, and Toronto, Ont.

Walk-in clinics: patient expectations and family physician availability.

Background: For over two decades, there has been controversy over the role and impact of walk-in clinics on primary health care. This study evaluates the providers' perspective on this topic.

Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of family physicians, emergency physicians and walk-in clinic physicians regarding the impact of walk-in clinics on Ontario's health care system.