Patient Experience Survey
The Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS) is an international initiative led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
It measures how people experience primary care and how that care impacts their lives, bringing the patient voice into the centre of health system evaluation.
PaRIS represents a shift from measuring what care is delivered to understanding whether that care improves outcomes that matter to patients.
Why PaRIS Matters
Health systems have traditionally been evaluated using clinical and operational indicators such as hospitalizations, procedures, and mortality rates.
PaRIS fills a critical gap by capturing patient-reported outcomes and experiences, including quality of life, wellbeing, and the ability to manage daily life.
This reframes the central question:
Is care actually improving people’s lives?
What PaRIS Measures
PaRIS collects two types of patient-reported data:
1
Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs)
These capture how people experience care, including access, coordination, communication, and trust.
2
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
These capture the impact of care on people’s lives, including physical health, mental wellbeing, and daily functioning.
Together, these measures provide a more complete picture of primary care performance.
Canada Findings
PaRIS in Canada:
What Patients Are Telling Us
The OECD Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS) provides the first internationally comparable data on how people experience primary care and how it impacts their lives.
In Canada, the findings reveal a system that delivers strong patient experiences, with clear opportunities to improve outcomes and equity.
Health Outcomes
77%
Report good physical health
87%
Report good mental and social functioning
74%
Report positive overall wellbeing
83%
Report good general health
Care Experience
90%
Experience person-centred care
94%
Rate care as high quality
71%
Report strong care coordination
(OECD average: 65%)
76%
Receive support to manage their health
What This Tells Us
Strong Patient Experience
Canada performs above the OECD average in how care is experienced, including communication, coordination, and overall quality.
Outcomes Are Solid, Not Leading
While outcomes are generally positive, Canada does not consistently rank among top-performing countries.
Experience Drives Results
Better care experiences are directly linked to better health outcomes and wellbeing.