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A target panel size is the number of clients for whom a primary care provider, typically a physician or nurse practitioner, is responsible for providing regular primary health care services. The target is set to establish an appropriate workload for primary care providers while balancing safety and quality of care for clients, as well as provider experience.
Community health centres and other organizations with multiple providers have a combined target panel size, which is based on the number of funded primary care provider roles as counted in full-time equivalents (FTE) and adjusted to reflect the medical complexity of the clients served. Organizations use their SAMI score to calculate their own adjusted target panel size and report it to Ontario Health (OH). They also calculate and report how close they are to their adjusted target (expressed as “percent to panel” and set a performance target for this measure, which is reflected in their Multi-Service Accountability Agreement (MSAA).
The Panel Size Handbook provides an overview of how to calculate your organization’s target panel size, adjusted panel size, and percent to panel, as well as additional indicators you may choose to track and report on to provide additional context. Following this methodology will ensure that all member organizations calculate their adjusted target panel size and percent-to-panel measure using a consistent formula, thereby allowing for meaningful comparisons and reliable projections.
The Handbook also includes responses to certain frequently asked questions (FAQs) around this methodology, as well as how panel size information is being used for accountability purposes within the Ontario Health regions. The Handbook will be updated as needed to incorporate any adjustments made to calculations, reporting requirements, FAQs and lessons learned over time.